Fansided

Uneventful day for Vegas Golden Knights prospects in WJC clash

By Andrew Steele-Davis |
VANCOUVER, CANADA JANUARY 4, 2019: Alexander Chmelevski of the United States (L) and Ivan Morozov of Russia in their 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship semifinal ice hockey match at Rogers Arena; the US team won 2-1. Andrew Chan/TASS (Photo by Andrew Chan\TASS via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, CANADA JANUARY 4, 2019: Alexander Chmelevski of the United States (L) and Ivan Morozov of Russia in their 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship semifinal ice hockey match at Rogers Arena; the US team won 2-1. Andrew Chan/TASS (Photo by Andrew Chan\TASS via Getty Images)

Fresh after beating the Arizona Coyotes the Vegas Golden Knights would have been all in when watching the 2020 World Junior Championships on Sunday.

With only three prospects at the tournament in the Czech Republic, Vegas Golden Knights won’t have too many scouts working overtime.

And their job was made a whole lot easier on Sunday when all three prospects were involved in the same game as Team USA went up against Team Russia in a Group B clash at Ostravar Arena.

However, it was an uneventful day for Pavel Dorofeyev and Ivan Morozov, and one to forget entirely for Isaiah Saville.

Let’s start with Isaiah Saville who, for the third straight game, failed to dress let alone even get a start.

Granted, it wasn’t a surprise that Spencer Knight started his second game of the tournament given his pedigree and the fact that he was picked with the No. 13 overall pick at the 2019 Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers.

And Knight was impressive as he made 25 saves from 26 shots as Team USA picked up their second win of the tournament to take control of Group B.

It must be frustrating for Saville, though, who is also behind Calgary Flames prospect Dustin Wolf, and it remains to be seen whether or not Saville will get the start or even dress for Team USA’s tilt against the Czech Republic today.

Now let’s look at the Team Russia element. After thrashing Team Canada 6-0 on Saturday, Russia was brought back to earth with a bump by Team USA.

Team USA raced into a three-goal lead thanks to two goals from LA Kings prospect Arthur Kaliyev, while Nicholas Robertson, who was taken 53rd overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, also got on the board.

Alexander Romanov did get Team Russia on the board in the third period, but it proved to be too little too late with Team USA getting the job done.

Both Pavel Dorofeyev and Ivan Morozov were held without a point with Dorofeyev logging just 10:58 minutes of total ice time, while Morozov racked up 18:02 minutes of ice time.

Next. Dorofeyev scores filthy effort at WJC. dark

Team USA are back in action later today when they take on the host nation in the Czech Republic, while Team Russia will be looking to bounce back against Germany on Tuesday.

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