August 10 – LATVIA v CANADA – Dans Locmelis was back with his opening game linemates.
August 10 – SWEDEN v SWITZERLAND – 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 effected 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.
August 9 – USA v Germany – 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.
August 9 – LATVIA v FINLAND – 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 carrier reminiscent of Pavel Datsyuk.