Finland 🇫🇮 6, USA 🇺🇸 5 #WJSS#Blackhawks prospect Antti Saarela had a primary assist and committed an elbowing penalty that led to an Arthur Kailyev (LAK) power-play goal. Saarela also struggled at the faceoff dot against Woodridge native Jacob Pivonka (CAR).
— Brandon (@brandonmcain) August 2, 2019
Finland doubles their lead early in the middle twenty. Antti Saarela fires a shot on Saville and Santeri Salmela pounds home the rebound. The goal was the first for Salmela in 3 seasons. #WJSS #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/kBtE8qr0pO
— Stars n’ Stripes Hockey (@StarsStripesHKY) August 2, 2019
Saarela and Finland face off against Sweden at 1 p.m. Saturday. Kirby Dach and possibly Alexis Gravel will be in action for Canada against the United States at 4 p.m. in the final World Junior Summer Showcase game. Both can be viewed on NHL Network.
Elsewhere in Chicago sports, Javier Baez homered and drove in three runs to lift the Cubs past the Brewers 6-2.
On Saturday, the Sky visit the Atlanta Dream. The Red Stars host Utah Royals FC. The Fire look to win their first match in a month when they visit the Houston Dynamo. The Cubs and White Sox both play.
(Photo: Christian Laflamme)
BLACKHAWKS
Where contract negotiations stand between Blackhawks, Brendan Perlini (The Athletic)
Chris Kunitz retires, joins Blackhawks coaching staff (SCH)
Photo gallery: Blackhawks prospect camp (SCH)
Top 25 Under 25: Community vote (SCH)
Top 25 Under 25: Eligible players (SCH)
Top 25 Under 25: Graduates, departed (SCH)
CENTRAL DIVISION
The downfall of Paul Fenton: Inside the GM’s turbulent 14 months with the Wild (The Athletic)
Slipping pucks past Marty Turco made Nicholas Porco a Stars fan long before he was drafted by Dallas (The Athletic)
NHL
Maple Leafs sign Matt Read to PTO (Pension Plan Puppets)
Analysis: Is there value in the Blue Jackets splitting up the Zach Werenski-Seth Jones pairing? (The Athletic)
NHL bench is ‘like a NASCAR pit crew,’ so is four coaches a crowd? (The Athletic)
HOCKEY WORLD
Luke Hughes following brothers Jack and Quinn on path to NHL (Sportsnet)