2026 World Juniors: Top standouts for Germany and Sweden
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Sweden has improved to a 3-0 record in Group A thanks to their most convincing victory yet – an 8-1 performance against Germany.
The Swedes will now challenge for the top spot in the group when they face the United States on New Year’s Eve, while Germany will look to avoid the relegation game when they face Switzerland on Tuesday.
The game started close, with both teams scoring on their opening shots. Anton Frondell scored his first of two goals at 1:45, while Elias Pul took advantage of a poor giveaway by the Swedes to make it 1-1 at 7:04. Viggo Bjorck would go on a scoring rampage in the second, scoring twice, while Jack Berglund and Felix Ohrqvist helped put the game out of reach. Frondell, Berglund and Liam Danielsson would cap off the game with goals in the third period to finish off a dominant effort.
Here is a look at the top performers from the first game at the Grand Casino Arena on Monday:
Lines for Germany vs. Sweden. #WorldJuniors
Germany
#7 Carlos Handel, D (Montreal Canadiens): I really, really like Handel. I keep putting him in these because it feels like he’s playing on a whole other level than the rest of the German defenders. He led the team in shots, and I imagine he was near the top in poke checks and blocked shots, as well. Handel looks so much better with the puck than I remember him a year ago.
#10 Maxim Schafer, RW (Washington Capitals): I really like Schafer, so I was surprised to see him do so little early in this tournament. That all changed today, though – he looked a bit more physical. Schafer assisted on Germany’s first-period goal, with him winning a battle near the neutral zone before setting up the pass. He was one of the few German forwards who I thought handled defensive responsibilities quite well – especially as the game started to get out of hand.
Sweden
#1 Herman Liv, G: Sweden’s goaltending was a bit of a question mark heading into the tournament, but it’s been their biggest strength so far. Love Harenstam held the fort down in the first two games, and I thought he looked great today. He rarely let a rebound back in front of the net – he kept directing it away out of trouble. His glove hand definitely works, too. Liv received the loudest cheers from the many Swedish fans in attendance – they appreciate everything Herman’s dad, Stefan, accomplished.
#4 Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D (San Jose Sharks): Sahlin Wallenius had two primary assists today to help the Swedes pull ahead. I preferred Alfons Freij early in this tournament, but LSW looked much more like his confident, dominant self with the puck. He doesn’t make many mistakes with the puck and does an excellent job of controlling the blueline on the power play.
#5 Sascha Boumedienne, D (Winnipeg Jets): Boumedienne played well enough the past two games, but hadn’t gotten on the scoresheet. That changed today with an excellent two-assist showing. He can be a bit frustrating with the puck because his decision-making is questionable. But he pulls off enough high-risk, high-reward plays to get excited about him.
#16 Anton Frondell, RW (Chicago Blackhawks): After a quieter showing against Switzerland, Frondell bounced back with a big effort tonight. He scored on Sweden’s first shot of the game, firing a blast past German keeper Linus Viellard to open the afternoon. He then tallied a second goal from the same spot to make it 6-1 in the third period. Frondell is still Sweden’s top shot generator, and while better defensive units will likely do a better job of containing him, he’s doing an excellent job of getting to his office – the right faceoff dot.
#21 Viggo Björck, C (2026 NHL Draft): Björck has been the top 2026 NHL Draft prospect in this tournament, bar none. He has an excellent shot, allowing him to score twice today. He likes the open space on the power play because his shot is deceptive, and he has the patience of a saint when he’s not under direct pressure. Björck keeps getting better with every game.
#26 Jack Berglund, C (Philadelphia Flyers): Berglund was buzzing around the net throughout this game and eventually was rewarded with a second-period goal and another in the dying seconds of the game He does a good job of getting himself in front of the net to push guys around and use his big frame to make life difficult for Viellard. Berglund was great in the pre-tournament, but I thought he was just fine in the first two games in Minnesota. Today, though, he was one of the few Swedish forwards who could consistently create chances in tight.
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