Finland remained unbeaten in the early game, shutting out Slovakia 6-0 with Leafs prospects accounting for a combined four points on the scoresheet. Roni Hirvonen (2020, 59th overall) had a helper on the game's opening goal and added another in the third. He's now racked up four assists in three games.
Topi Niemela (2020, 64th overall) remains the tournament's top scoring defenceman after a two-point effort, including his second goal of the tournament to extend Finland's lead to 2-0, a wicked shot from the top of the circle that whipped through a traffic jam in front of the net. He followed that up quickly with an assist two minutes later and now has six points (2G, 4A) in three games.
Mikko Kokkonen (2019, 84th overall) didn't record a point but again played an important role in Finland's shutdown efforts to keep Slovakia off the board and limit their shots to 12.
Finland will wrap up the round robin today against Canada. Both teams are undefeated so far and the winner will snag top spot in Group A.
In the late game yesterday, Leafs prospects played a role in all four of Russia's goals, helping them to a 4-3 overtime victory against Sweden.
Mikhail Abramov (2019, 115th overall) made a phenomenal cross-crease pass, after racing behind the net, to teammate Yegor Afanasiev to open the scoring for Russia.
After Sweden tied things up, Rodion Amirov (2020, 15th overall) put Russia ahead again, scoring his second of the tournament. Amirov would also earn assists on Russia's two other goals, including a hard shot that generated a rebound for the overtime winner. Amirov now sits in the top 10 for tournament scoring with six points (2G, 4A) in the round robin.
Russia currently sit in first place for Group B but will await the results of today's game to determine their final standing and their opponent in the quarterfinals.
