August 20 – Sweden 3 v 1 Czechia – Fabian Lysell scored one goal as Sweden beat Czechia to win the bronze medal game.
August 19 – Finland 1 v Sweden 0 –
August 17 – Czechia 4 v USA 2 –
August 17 – Sweden 2 v Latvia 1 – Fabian Lysell met Dans Locmelis in a quarterfinal game which Sweden barely won. The Latvians came out with a heavy forecheck limiting the Swede’s chances. Locmelis was back with his linemates from the previous game and also got quality special teams ice time. Both players figured in the scoring: Lysell assisted on Sweden’s first goal on a powerplay late in the first period while Locmelis assisted on Latvia’s goal late in the second. Locmelis had a consistent game shoqing quickness on the puck forechecking and responsible positioning at both ends of the ice. Lysell did not stand out on a Sweden team which played uninspired.
At one point in the second period it appeared that Locmelis was getting medical attention to a hand problem from the training staff but he continued without interruption.
Latvia was holding their own against Sweden until early in the third period when Martin Lavins took a five minute major penalty and was ejected from the game. This put them short at center and Locmelis was asked to do more. Latvia was able to kill off the penalty but the extra energy expended took a toll and Sweden scored the go ahead, and winning, goal midway through the third period.
Locmelis nearly tied it with time running out when a shot from the left point was saved and the rebound just scooted past him as he was situated at the top of the crease. For all his efforts Locmelis was selected as the Latvian player of the game.
Lysell’s scoring line: G 0 A 1 Pts 1 PIM 0 Plus/Minus +1
Locmelis’ scoring line: G 0 A 1 Pts 1 PIM 0 Plus/Minus +1
August – 15 Sweden 4 v Germany 2 – Fabian Lysell was back with his linemates from the earlier games. He assisted on Sweden’s second goal when he kept the puck in at the right point passing to Anton Olsson who fed Ljungman for the goal. He displays quickness on the forecheck and soft hands on passes and pucks coming around the boards.
Midway through the second period he stole an attempted clear by the goaltender and set up his teammate at the top of the crease but Ljungman could not bury it.
The win in this game clinches second place in Pool B for Sweden. In the quarter finals they will play Pool A’s third place team Latvia.
Lysell’s scoring line: G 0 A 1 Pts 1 PIM 0 Plus/Minus +1
August 14 – USA 3 v Sweden 2 – Riley Duran and Fabian Lysell met in the final round robin game for the USA. The winner would clinch first place in group B and Coach Leamon managed his lines likewise. Duran’s fourth line only had a few shifts as a unit with Leamon choosing to plug in each player with other lines as the game progressed. Duran showed hard work but was never given an opportunity to be a major contributor. He was responsible in his own end and smartly aggressive on the forecheck. As in earlier games he was on several penalty kills. Midway through the second period Duran was called for a high sticking minor.
Lysell was back on a line centered by Ljungman, but with Oskar Magnusson (WAS 2020 7/211, AIK) on the left side. Late in the game Sweden tried Linus Sjodin (BUF 2022 7/211, Rogle) on the left wing. After a few shifts in this configuration Sweden went back to Rosen on the left as in earlier games. The Americans smothering forecheck resulted in very few clean breakouts for Lysell and the Swedes. Lysell was able to probe the right side of the attacking zone but the USA consistently had numbers back to shut down most opportunities. He ended the game with zero shots on goal.
Duran’s scoring line: G 0 A 0 Pts 0 PIM 2 Plus/Minus 0
Lysell’s scoring line: G 0 A 0 Pts 0 PIM 0 Plus/Minus -1
August 14 – Latvia 5 v Czechia 2 – Dans Locmelis played a solid role in Latvia’s stunning win. He took a regular turn on the PK squad. Continued his good stick pressure and positioning, playing a solid 200 foot game. When attacking the opposing goal down the wing he rarely cuts to the net electing instead to go behind or stop short and circle back. At least two of his shifts got shortened due to penalties but in both cases he stayed on for the PK.
He got power play time early in the second period and started on the PP midway. Appeared to get hit in the mouth by a teammates stick but didn’t miss a shift. Once again he went 50% on faceoffs winning 3 of 6 taken.
Locmelis’ scoring line: G 0 A 0 Pts 0 PIM 0 Plus/Minus +1
August 13 – USA 7 v Austria 0 Saturday afternoon’s game started with Riley Duran playing right wing
with the same players as in the first two games. Game conditions dictated less ice time and a jumble of lines as the Americans took apart Austria.
His fourth line was skipped over at least once at the start as Coach Leamon looked to get his top players more ice time. As the period went on Duran’s line only managed four regular shifts, and only one in the penalty filled second period. He did get an assist on the USA’s third goal which was a wrist shot from the left side of the blue line by Wyatt Kaiser (CHI 2020 3/81, UMinn-Duluth).
Later in the first period Duran had a few flubs in his own end. In one case he had an opportunity to clear the puck but didn’t which led to more possession by Austria. On the same shift the puck was fired around the boards from the left side behind the net and before it arrived he took his eye off it to check out the Austrian’s positioning. By the time he looked back for the puck it was already past him and back in the hands of the attackers. These plays can happen many times in a game, and against a lesser opponent like Austria can be overcome, but better teams will take advantage of these mistakes.
Late in the first he started a nice breakout which led to a goal by linemate Red Savage.
Four penalties in the second period led to missed shifts for his line although he did get three shifts on the penalty killing squad. He also was on the PK to start the third period. With the game well in hand Coach Leamon again mixed up most of the lines. The only line he kept together was Cooley/Coronato/Knies.
Duran is not an elegant skater but he is powerful and gets up to speed quickly. He appears to have a good compete level consistently finishing his checks. He often lines up on the left side for faceoffs particularly in the attacking one.
Duran’s scoring line: G 0 A 2 Pts 2 PIM 0 Plus/Minus +2
August 12 LATVIA 2 v Austria 3 (SO) – Dans Locmelis is looking comfortable centering a line which was third off the bench in this game. Nearing the halfway mark of the opening period he took a shift on Latvia’s first powerplay of the game passing from the left half wall to his own defender at the blue line but the shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Locmelis followed the play to the net and fired the rebound into the top of the net for Latvia’s first goal in this game. A few minutes later he found time on Latvia’s penalty killing squad.
He was involved all over the ice, including taking a tripping penalty at center ice in the second. Late in the third period, with the game tied, he was on Latvia’s unsuccessful power play attempt. The game went to overtime where Locmelis skated on one 3 on 3 shift. Overall he was 7/14, 50% on faceoffs.
Locmelis was the choice to take Latvia’s first attempt in the shootout but was denied. He came in on the right side, slid to his forehand but fired into the goalkeepers right (catching) glove.
Locmelis’ scoring line: G 1 A 0 Pts 1 PIM 2 Plus/Minus -1
August 12 – SWEDEN 5 v AUSTRIA 0 – Fabian Lysell continues to get better as the tournament progresses. He was a major contributor to Sweden’s win over a lesser Austrian team. Along with his regular second line right wing role he got quality powerplay time, drew two penalties including a penalty shot, was one of four forwards on a late game 4 on 4 and scored his on PP goal.
He displayed the same speed and quickness we saw in the game vs Switzerland. Spending as much time on the left side in the attacking zone he created multiple chances and had Swiss defenders chasing him. He set up Sweden’s second goal threading a pass from the left side through several defenders to Isak Rosen who put it in the open right side of the goal.
Late in the third period Lysell had a break in on the Austrian goal and was tripped, the referee awarding a penalty shot. He attempted to deke but the goalkeeper blocked it with his left pad. A few minutes later Lysell walked along the goal line and fired a shot over the keepers right shoulder scoring Sweden’s fifth goal. An all around solid effort by the speedy right winger.
Lysell’s scoring line: G 1 A 1 Pts 2 PIM 0 Plus/Minus +1
August 11 – USA 7 v SWITZERLAND 1 – Riley Duran played another strong game on the same fourth line as the first game, although he did get a couple of shifts at the end of the game with Logan Cooley (ANA 2022 1/3, UMinn) and Matt Knies (TOR 2021 2/57, UMinn). Duran had another strong game using his size and speed to find openings and get a few scoring chances. Early in the second he hit the crossbar and mid way through the period he took a heavy check right in front of the Swiss bench.
Duran’s time with Cooley led to his goal (and his only SOG) from the left faceoff circle. Once the game was well in hand Coach Leaman tinkered with some line combinations which led to Duran’s opportunities in the final minutes.
Duran’s scoring line: G 1 A 0 Pts 1 PIM 0 Plus/Minus +1
August 10 – LATVIA 2 v CANADA 5 – Dans Locmelis was back with his opening game linemates Purmalis and Vilmanis. As in the game vs Finland he looked very comfortable and confident centering the second line. Canada is a bigger and very physical team but Locmelis never looked intimidated.
He continues to use his quickness and hockey smarts to get in positions where he is not vulnerable to hits by larger players. In fact, he took a “roughing” penalty in the second period when he ripped the helmet off a Canadian player who was holding his stick. Canada scored on the powerplay but this did not seem to affect Locmelis’ aggressiveness as the game went on.
He had more quality PP ice time of his own, often setting up on the left half wall in the attacking zone. In several instances he walked the puck into the faceoff circle for a scoring chance or pass to a teammate. He won only five of nine faceoffs reversing his success in the Finland game, but led his team SOG with 5.
Locmelis scoring line: G 0 A 0 Pts 0 PIM 2 Plus/Minus -2
August 10 – SWEDEN 3 v SWITZERLAND 2 – Fabian Lysell played right wing on the second line along side Daniel Ljungman (DAL 2020 5/154, Rogle) and Isak Rosen (2021 BUF 1/14, Rochester). Sweden’s game was inconsistent and uninspiring and this affected the amount of time and quality chances for Lysell.
The Swede’s took multiple penalties early in the game limiting Lysell as he is not on the penalty killing squad. A late game major penalty to his linemate Ljungman also cost Lysell minutes at the end of the game. In between, when he had the puck, he showed good hands and smooth skating. Isn’t going to initiate heavy body contact but was not afraid to go into high traffic areas. Was awarded an assist on Sweden’s third goal where he tipped the puck while just outside the attacking blue line. The puck was then picked up by Ljungman who setup Rosen for the goal Not a bad effort at all by Lysell but he was denied a reasonable chance to show his skills due to game conditions.
Lysell scoring line: G 0 A 1 Pts 1 PIM 0 Plus/Minus 0
August 9 – USA 5 v GERMANY 1 – Riley Duran played right wing on the fourth line with Red Savage (DET 2021 4/114, Miami U) and Sasha Pastujov (ANA 2021 3/66, Guelph). Midway through the second period he assisted on USA’s fourth goal, scored by linemate Savage.
Duran scored his goal in the final minute of the period when he came down the right wind and fired the puck high on German goalkeeper Nikita Quapp (CAR 2021 6/187, Eisbären Berlin). Germany was overmatched by the Americans and Quapp’s 45 saves on 50 shots kept his team from getting routed but he misplayed Duran’s shot. Still, Duran showed good instincts to put the puck on the net. Duran has good size and plays a physical game but shows some finesse. It remains to be seen how much quality time he’ll be able to get on this loaded USA club.
Duran scoring line: G 1 A 1 Pts 2 PIM 0 Plus/Minus +2
August 9 – LATVIA 1 v FINLAND 6 – Dans Locmelis centered the second line beside Peteris Purmalis (undrafted, USHL) and Sandis Vilmanis (FLA 2022 5/157, Lulea Jr). Locmelis played nearly 20 minutes logging the second most TOI for Latvia. Was well over 50% in faceoff win percentage. Got quality minutes on the powerplay. One of the smaller players on either team he was pushed around but never intimidated. Show good hockey IQ with his body and stick positioning. He’s smart enough to know he can’t overpower other players but uses anticipation and finesse to gain/keep puck control and avoid crushing hits.
One unfortunate moment happened when a bad change and then a turnover at the Latvian attacking blueline put him in position to be lone defender on a Finnish two on one which led to their second goal. Overall he shows good speed and quickness. As a centerman he played a solid, 200 foot game. He set up a few scoring chances for his teammates who failed to score. Has very good backchecking pursuit of puck carriers reminiscent of Pavel Datsyuk.
Locmelis scoring line: G 0 A 0 Pts 0 PIM 0 Plus/Minus -2