2025 World Juniors: Standouts from Sweden vs. Slovakia

Credit: (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)

OTTAWA – A three-goal, four-point effort from Detroit Red Wings prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka helped open up the way for Sweden’s 5-2 victory over Slovakia to kick off Group B play at the World Junior Championship.

The Swedes found themselves trailing early, but a big showing from the team’s blueline helped pave the way on Day 1.

It took Slovakia 11:53 to register their second shot of the game, but they made it count. St. Louis Blues prospect Dalibor Dvorsky used patience to wait for a screen in front and fired it past Samuel Urban for the 1-0 goal.

The Swedes were the better team with the puck throughout most of the game, but they couldn’t score until the second. Just over three minutes in, Montreal Canadiens prospect Rasmus Bergqvist had his first IIHF goal with a wrister in open space to make it 1-1.

Many expected Sweden’s blueline to be active on the attack, and they were in full force on Thursday. At 37:43, Axel Sandin Pellikka converted on a feed from Felix Unger Sorum to make it 2-1 Sweden. ASP then scored his second of the tournament on a great shot less than five minutes into the third, taking any of Slovakia’s momentum away in the closing stages. Sandin Pellikka finished the fun off with a hat-trick goal with about six minutes to go in the game, while Linus Eriksson scored with 4:30 to go to make it 5-1. Daniel Jencko scored late in the game, but it was far too late to make a comeback.

Sweden will meet up with Kazakhstan on Friday in an effort to stay perfect, while Slovakia will meet up with Switzerland earlier in the day.

Slovakia

#30 Samuel Urban, G (Undrafted): Urban was the only reason the game was close to start. The Swedes had full control, testing the undrafted goalie quite often early in the contest. He was especially good in the second period, moving well to make 11 stops. For a smaller goalie, Urban has to work a bit harder to see through screens, but his glove hand was active and he showed his flexibility quite often.

#15 Dalibor Dvorsky, C (St. Louis Blues): Dvorsky scored one of the two goals for the Slovaks, but had two other high-quality chances throughout the outing. The tournament veteran seemed to be one of the few engaged at both ends of the ice and he showed plenty of speed, too. If the Slovaks are going to pull off some victories in the round-robin, it’ll be because Dvorsky is playing at the top of his game. But he can’t do it all alone, as today showed.

#4 Maxim Strbak, D (Buffalo Sabres): From blocking shots to landing hits, Strbak was throwing the body every time he could. The Michigan State University defender needed help off the ice after blocking a shot prior to the 2-1 goal, but he came back and played some of his best hockey in the third period. Look for Strbak to play over 25 minutes every single night.

Sweden

#18 Victor Eklund, RW (2025 NHL Draft): I loved that game from Eklund. He didn’t score, but he was very energetic, hit hard and challenged anyone who dared to battle against him. Eklund moves exceptionally well, with good footwork and a well-oiled motor that makes him tough to contain in tight spaces. I think having him in a top-six role at this tournament will show fans why Eklund has a shot at going in the top five of the NHL Draft.

#2 Rasmus Bergqvist, D (Montreal Canadiens): Maybe, just maybe, there’s some untapped offensive potential in Bergvist’s game. The defensive defender has three goals in three games dating back to the start of Sweden’s pre-tournament slate, showcasing a powerful shot from the point. For someone who doesn’t have a goal back in the SHL this year, it’s been nice seeing Bergqvist show a bit of offensive potential that some scouts have believed in for a few years now.

#4 Axel Sandin Pellikka, D (Detroit Red Wings): With three goals and an assist, ASP had as good of a start to a tournament as you could ask for. He moved the puck well, shooting the puck well and landed some excellent hits at both ends of the ice, too. It was a complete game for Sweden’s captain, someone many expect to challenge for the top defenseman award for the second consecutive year. Sandin Pellikka is off to an excellent start as he challenges to take home the top defenseman award for the second year in a row.

#16 Felix Unger Sorum, RW (Carolina Hurricanes): Calling it now: FUS is going to make himself a star at this tournament. He had two primary assists, finding Sandin Pellikka on his first two goal. His ability to read open ice is impressive, and he’s a lot more urgent – yet smart – with how he distributes the puck now compared to a year ago.