The second day of the 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase is in the books, with Finland and Sweden taking home victories on Monday in Minnesota.<\/p>\n
All four teams will get Tuesday off, with Canada holding an intrasquad game at 4:30 PM CT.<\/p>\n
Aatos Koviu led the way for Finland, scoring the first, and third goals to help lead the Finns to the win. Roope Vesterinen scored in between, with Cole McKinney and Kamil Bednarik tallying markers for the Americans. <\/p>\n
The second game was even more tense, with both teams taking the lead at various points. Alex Zetterberg opened the scoring early in the game, but Jacob Kvasnicka would tie it up midway through the opening frame. The Americans would go on to take the 2-1 lead on the power play early in the second, with Will Horcoff just getting a piece of Tanner Henricks\u2019 point shot to make it 2-1. Sweden wouldn\u2019t let the Americans get too far ahead, though, with Filip Ekberg scoring with 8:22 left in the first to force a tie heading into the third period. Brodie Ziemer and Liam Danielson would score for their respective teams to make it 3-3, with Liam Ohrqvist scoring with eight seconds left to win the game for Sweden.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a look at the top performers from Day 2 in Minnesota:<\/p>\n
Finland 3, USA Blue 2<\/p>\n
Finland<\/strong><\/p>\n #9 Aatos Koivu, RW (Montreal Canadiens<\/a>)<\/strong>: Koivu opened the scoring on the power play, and then he scored again to make it 3-2. But it wasn\u2019t the goals that really caught my attention. Instead, it was the fact that it was his second straight game where he looked competent at both ends of the ice. He didn\u2019t score yesterday, but he got an assist, and I felt like his work ethic was as good as anyone had in Finland. That was the case again today in a game where I really felt like he was involved every time he hit the ice.<\/p>\n #3 Aron Kiviharju, D (Minnesota Wild<\/a>):<\/strong> Kiviharju was much more impactful in this game and even nabbed a pair of assists. I\u2019ve always liked him on the power play, but I also feel like he\u2019s doing a better job of being defensively responsible at even strength. He\u2019s small, which has always been an issue for him, but he makes up for it with his hockey sense and skating. Today, I thought he did a great job of forcing the Americans to shoot from farther away.<\/p>\n #21 Max Westerg\u00e5rd, RW<\/strong> (Philadelphia Flyers<\/a>)<\/strong>: Throughout the game, Westerg\u00e5rd consistently rushed the net and worked to create high-quality scoring chances. His best opportunity came about five minutes into the third period when he broke past two defenders and went in all alone. Although he was stopped on that play, I believe he did an excellent job of trying to make an impact every time he entered the offensive zone. He stood out as one of the few 2007-born Finnish players that I liked, and I believe he has a strong chance of making the World Junior team in a few months.<\/p>\n #28 Heikki Ruohonen, C (Philadelphia Flyers):<\/strong> That\u2019s two great games from the Finnish forward now. His screen on the 3-2 goal proved to be a difference maker, but that\u2019s just what he does.\u00a0Ruohonen likes to plant himself near the crease, create havoc and go from there. His chemistry with Koivu this week has been really fun to watch. Ruohonen is a lock to make the main roster in December.<\/p>\n USA Blue<\/strong><\/p>\n #8 AJ Spellacy, RW (Chicago Blackhawks<\/a>):<\/strong> Spellacy was in the running to make the team a year ago and he\u2019ll definitely get some serious consideration this year, too. He\u2019s a hard-hitting forward who loves to do whatever it takes to win a puck battle. He had a great chance near the end of the first period, and then did a good job of getting his stick into passing lanes to break up plays.<\/p>\n #29 Luke Osburn, D (Buffalo Sabres<\/a>):<\/strong> Osburn had a great first game and was one of USA\u2019s better defenders through the first 40 minutes. Then, early in the third, he took the puck from the blueline, skated in and got the puck on net to help make it 2-2. Osburn\u2019s skating has been a highlight of this tournament so far, as has been his decision-making, too. It was good to see him rewarded today.<\/p>\n #12 Aidan Park, RW (Edmonton Oilers<\/a>)<\/strong>: Park was a nice, energetic presence for the Oilers, playing alongside Cole McKinney and Will Zellers on the second line. While the other two players were spending a lot more time around the net, Park did a stout job of forcing opponents to make quicker decisions with the puck, especially when trying to clear the zone. I have liked his play for a few years now because he makes smart decisions. He likely won\u2019t make USA\u2019s main roster, but he had a good showing today.<\/p>\n Sweden USA White<\/p>\n Sweden<\/strong><\/p>\n #1 Herman Liv, G (Undrafted):<\/strong> The undersized goaltender was crucial in keeping this game close. He made some huge saves today, including a diving glove save on Brodie Ziemer. Liv might not be a product of an NHL team, but he looks destined to challenge for Sweden\u2019s No. 1 job in December. He has had some mixed results internationally the past few years, but maybe a good first year in the Allsvenskan will help spark some attention in North America. Without him, this game might have been 7-1 USA.<\/p>\n #29 Alex Zetterberg, RW (Undrafted):<\/strong> The undersized forward needed to make a good impression here to solidify a spot on the World Junior team. He made the most of it, scoring a goal early before nearly tallying another near at the end of the second. I loved the way he made things happen with the puck, and he showed his playmaking chops all throughout the night.<\/p>\n #17 Viggo Nordlund, LW (Carolina Hurricanes<\/a>):<\/strong> Nordlund made a great play that led to Zetterberg\u2019s 1-0 goal. He then did a good job of winning battles along the boards while also showing some good hustle at both ends of the ice. He\u2019s more of a support player on this team, but he puts in the effort you\u2019re looking for from someone playing deeper down the lineup.<\/p>\n USA White<\/strong><\/p>\n #12 Cullen Potter, C (Calgary Flames<\/a>): <\/strong>Potter was even better today than he was yesterday. He does such a good job of driving to the net to create chances, and it was surprising that he didn\u2019t have at least a few goals today. His creativity and speed make him tough to contain, and he clearly had no issues going up against some of Sweden\u2019s bigger defenders. I really like Potter\u2019s game, and I think he\u2019ll make the World Junior team in December.<\/p>\n #18 Ryker Lee, RW (Nashville Predators<\/a>): <\/strong>Lee was great again today, showing great speed and skill with the puck. He made some brilliant plays on the attack, taking advantage of open space quite often. Lee is a skilled forward who continues to grow \u2013 and in the process, has learned how to play with his newfound strength. There\u2019s a good chance he becomes an impact NHLer, and he\u2019s making a case to join USA at the World Juniors in a few month\u2019s time.<\/p>\n #38 Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen, D (Undrafted):<\/strong> Rheaume-Mullen was one of the more notable defenders who went undrafted this past year, mostly due to his smaller 5-foot-11 frame. But he was excellent against Finland, and then had an assist today \u2013 and nearly another two in the second period. I don\u2019t remember seeing him being this offensively stout before \u2013 he\u2019s usually better in his own zone. Rheaume-Mullen looked great in his the D-zone, making smart decisions with and without the puck. I\u2019d say DRM has been USA\u2019s most impressive blueliner through two games.<\/p>\n