DarthEbriate

This is a young squad, but HCDG and Okposo and Girgs have had them ready for all their big games recently (outdoors, RJ, the game after the blizzard). They might get beat, but they'll show up. Playing, feeling the breeze on their face, hitting the twine --- a little escapism might be the best thing for their minds.

Was not watching but caught a replay; this was terrifying. It was nerve-wracking just watching the players’ responses. The best news is that team medics and paramedics were there immediately and he’s now getting the best medical attention possible. If any of you have little ‘Spacers make sure to talk and listen and help them process it (and give them a hug).

Exactly. There's a good chance in a few years that Boston or Toronto is the one giving up the home game to play in Buffalo.

Kulich one-on-one vs the goalie misses the net again. No hats. Ends with only 4 points.

Kulich delays to open the passing lane, then a great burst of speed... and skies the centering pass. Misses the open net entirely. No hattie yet. Bit of a rolling puck on replay. Kulich seems to coast/glide a lot off puck (in contrast to Östlund earlier today who is always motoring). But when he wants to go, he's got great speed. And he goes to the net fast.

Yeesh. Czechia now with 9 goals on 21 shots.

Kulich is the intermission interview. That's a sweet sweater. The lion pattern woven into the white portion of the jersey. Nice threads, Jiri!

A few shifts later... Kulich takes a gift turnover, super weak pass, feeds Sale and drives toward the middle of the ice. Sale takes the open ice and buries a wicked googly shot. Kulich takeaway and assist.

On a Czechia power play: Kulich backchecks from the far side after the puck gets past the point man. Two-on-one with Kulich in pursuit, not backing up. Not even a shot on goal. Great play. Fans on a one timer, then hits the side of the net on the next one-timer setup.

Kulich again. Helps win a board battle, goes to the slot uncovered and his shot is makes it all too easy.

Kulich shoots, the rebound nearly to the blue line is buried by a Jiricek cannon. The goalie's got to make that save (and has been pulled as a result). Kulich given an assist.

Arizona wants the equivalent of 3 firsts (more or less) though, so I can't imagine that you can get Chychrun without including Joker (unless Ryan Johnson were already signed and you could give them either), but they wouldn't want Johnson because he can walk. But a package like Rosen+Joker+2023 BUF 1st lottery protected (we'd still retain 3 2023 seconds) or 2023 2nd (Philly's so it's top-40)? I am reluctant to move any 2023 picks, but to have a top-4 d-corps like that for a few more seasons at minimum as the forwards grow up would be pretty solid.

Next up, Czechia and Switzerland. Kulich time. Kulich scores! Poor start for Czechia on the 1st shift where Suchanek doesn't come out to play the puck on a breakaway where the Swiss player doesn't get to the puck until between the faceoff dots. Then, during a 4-on-4 after some embellishment, Kulich beats 2 defenders to the front of the net and buries a centering pass. (Note: Suchanek is 6th on his team in scoring this WJC with an assist on the Kulich goal)

Sweden with a shorthanded goal with a minute to go for the lead.

Really dig Östlund's game without the puck. With the puck he's got good vision, lots of one-touch passes to the right spot, but he doesn't want to possess the puck himself or wait for the bigger play. In this game, he's a distributor but not a playmaker who looks to force the issue. The Sweden defenseman makes a bad pass to a covered Östlund in the neutral zone. No chance for Östlund to contest it, the other way and in. Lindholm's first bad play in goal all game. Yes, today is quarterfinals day.

We knew that trade was going to work out! 😇

Sweden's first shot on goal is 12 minutes into the first period. Rosen takes a stick up high to draw a penalty. Then, Rosen makes a sloppy drop pass for a turnover, and then takes a trip later in the sequence -- and there goes Sweden's PP. Rosen with a horrid PP shift. The 4-on-4 expires and Sweden has 5 guys on the ice for a long time. Not called. Refs have a hard time catching too many men.

ESPN+/Hulu with a Sabres prospect WJC morning. Finland opens their quarterfinal hot against Sweden; excellent forechecking. Östlund defends Kemell who deflects a puck, Östlund follows up with a stick check and does his job defensively, but the deflection's rebound pops across the crease and Finland buries it for 1-0. Nothing from Rosen's line yet beyond being pinned in their own zone. Östlund's next shift with a great forecheck and almost picks a second pass off in the slot.

Tough loss, but a deserved win for Ottawa. They played fast and physical and forced Anderson to make some quality saves. Checking the competition, the Rangers got 2 points and Florida none. Devils got a point against Carolina. But the Kraken are doing their part through two with a 3-1 lead on the Isles. Next up: the red-hot Caps.

I like how Ottawa's going about their business with the lead. The Sabres are going to have to earn the tying goal tonight.

And then the kids get hemmed in for an entire shift. Back-and-forth a bit.

Great shifts.

Dahlin so slick in the corner to win it, hang onto it, and keep the line pressuring.

Angry Larry with offensive skills someday?

...while I was prepping... dang it. Alright, go get it back.