2020 World Junior Championship: Day 4 recap on Blackhawks prospect Antti Saarela

Each day throughout the World Junior Championship tournament, Second City Hockey will provide updates on how Blackhawks prospects Antti Saarela and Michal Teply are performing. For more coverage on the tournament, visit the World Juniors section.

Finland 7, Kazakhstan 1

Saarela maintained his spot as the top-line center for Finland, and went 7-for-10 on faceoffs and had one shot on goal in 14:03. On Saturday, he was 8-for-18 (44 percent) and had two shots on goal in 18:23.

Saarela provided some sustained net-front presence during five-on-five play in the second period, but his teammates didn’t put shots on net for a rebound opportunity.

He had two prime scoring chances while shorthanded. The first one came with three minutes remaining in the second that rang off the post then he had a breakaway opportunity midway through the third.

Saarela has no points, four shots on goal and is 55 percent on faceoffs in three games during the tournament.

What’s next

Teply and the Czech Republic were off Sunday and return to action at noon Monday against the United States. The game will be broadcasted on NHL Network. Saarela and Finland have Monday off before playing Switzerland at noon Tuesday.