Jets at the World Juniors - Day 1

All four Winnipeg Jets prospects were in action on the opening day of the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championship.
The players Jets fans will want to keep an eye on are 2022 first-round picks Brad Lambert (Finland) and Rutger McGroarty (USA), as well as the team's sixth round pick from that year - Fabian Wagner (SWE). Finally, Manitoba Moose forward, and 2021 first-round selection, Chaz Lucius will be wearing USA's colours.

FINLAND 2, SWITZERLAND 3 (OT)
It wasn't the ideal start to the tournament for Brad Lambert and Finland, as they dropped a 3-2 decision just 41 seconds into overtime against Switzerland.
Lambert was held off the scoresheet in 14:36 of ice time. He had one shot on goal in the contest.
Finland plays Slovakia on December 27.
SWEDEN 11, AUSTRIA 0
Sweden didn't have much trouble in their opener, as Fabian Wagner helped his team to a big 11-0 win over Austria.
Fabian Wagner scored once, and added two assists in the game. His goal came 2:45 into the third period, while both off his assists came in the middle frame.

Wagner played 12:51 in the game. Sweden will look to continue their winning ways on Tuesday against Germany.
USA 5, LATVIA 2
It wasn't an easy game by any stretch for the USA, as they found themselves tied 2-2 through 40 minutes against Latvia.
That was until Manitoba Moose forward and Jets prospect Chaz Lucius scored this beauty less than two minutes into the third.

That held up as the game-winner, as the USA scored another two goals in the final period to put the game out of reach for Latvia.
Lucius was part of the USA team at last winter's World Junior that had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. He got this year's tournament underway with the goal, 15:05 of ice time, and four shots.
As for Rutger McGroarty, making his World Junior debut, had one shot on goal in 11:29 of ice time.
The Americans are back in action on Wednesday against Slovakia.