Sweden just edges Germany in World Junior Championship thriller

It wasn’t the 11-0 blowout they had yesterday, but Sweden will take the three points after beating Germany 1-0 on Tuesday.

Sweden improves to 2-0-0-0 before getting their first day off on Wednesday. They’ll resume play on Thursday against Czechia before closing out the round robin against Canada on Dec. 31.

The story of the game was the incredible goaltending effort from Nikita Quapp, a sixth-round pick by Carolina. Quapp made 33 stops in the first two periods alone, and even came up big on a penalty shot attempt by Fabian Lysell.

But despite his incredible effort, the Swedes did score in the first. With 21.5 seconds left in the opening frame, Adam Engstrom’s shot hit some bodies in front of the net and beat Quapp just seconds after Sweden won the faceoff.

The German penalty kill was busy, going 4-for-4 and even killing off a 5-on-3. The momentum shifted late, and Germany had nearly all of the puck control in the final five minutes, pestering Carl Lindbom with every opportunity they could possibly get. But just like on Monday, the Vegas Golden Knights goalie prospect had a perfect outing, turning away all 29 shots sent his way for the shutout victory.