Berard & Garand stand out in pre-tournament action at the WJC

For all of you hockey fans who want a fix before the Blueshirts resume play on Monday, there are some World Junior Championship games worth watching.  With five future Rangers playing for four different teams, there are many opportunities to catch up with these prospects and get a glimpse at the future of the New York Rangers.

Four of the five prospects were in action on Thursday in pre-tournament action and as always, there was reason to be encouraged.  The Rangers stars of the day were Team USA’s Brett Berard and Team Canada’s Dylan Garand.

Finland 4 USA 3 (OT)

Team USA lost in overtime 4-3 to Finland in what was a wild and chippy game.  Finland scored three late goals to overcome a 3-1 deficit.   USA forward Red Savage took a match penalty late in the third period for an elbow to the head of Finnish forward Joakim Kemell and in the ensuing major penalty, the Finns scored three times, with the last goal coming in OT.

Remember the name Brett Berard (#21).  The Rangers prospect played a high profile game, as expected. Ranger fans held their breath in the first period when he took a knee from Finnish defenseman Ruben Rafkin.

Rafkin was tossed from the game and Berard had to be helped off the ice with an apparent injury to his right leg.

Berard was none the worse for wear and returned to score USA’s second, go-ahead goal nine seconds into the second period.

It was a typical Berard goal, using his speed to get free for a pass from teammate Matty Beniers, the second overall pick in the 2021 draft, selected by the Seattle Kraken.

2021 Rangers 4th round pick right winger Kalle Väisänen played on the fourth line for Finland.

Canada 6 Russia 4

Team Canada is one of the favorites for this tournament and they showed why, jumping out to a 4-0 lead after the first period.  It was a good showing for Rangers prospect goalie Dylan Garand who started the game and split duties with Sebastian Cossa.

Garand celebrated signing his Entry Level Contract earlier in the day by stopping 14 of 15 shots for Canada.  Cossa, the 15th overall selection in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft stopped eight of 11 shots as Russia rallied to close within two goals.

Based on this game, Garand has to have the inside track on the top goaltending job for Team Canada.  Coach Dave Cameron told reporters he hasn’t decided yet saying. “I don’t really have a plan yet, it’s a work in progress.”

Left winger Will Cuylle started on the left wing of the fourth line with center Elliot Desnoyers and right wing Dylan Guenther.

All teams have two days off for Christmas with the tournament starting for real on Sunday.  All five future Rangers will be in action with Finland facing Germany (2pm), Canada playing the Czech Republic (7pm) and Team USA facing Slovakia (9:30pm).   All three games will be televised by the NHL Network.