Lightning Round: The World Championship began in Finland and Latvia

Yesterday the 2023 IIHF World Championship opened in Tampere, Finland and Riga, Latvia with four games. The eyes of the Tampa Bay Lightning fans were drawn to the opening game between one of the hosts,Finland,  and Team USA, with the Lightning’s Michael Eyssimont and Nick Perbix on the roster.

Team USA achieved a 4-1 victory over Finland in their first game of the tournament: the Buffalo Sabres’ Alex Tuch scored twice, while Drew O’Connor and Cutter Gauthier each scored once. Both Eyssimont and Perbix didn’t record any point in this game. Teemu Hartikanen scored the only Finland’s goal.

Czech Republic defeated their neighboring country Slovakia in a tight game 3-2, Lukas Sedlak led all players with two goals.

Sweden defeated Germany 1-0 despite a strong effort from their opponent. Oscar Lindberg scored a game-winning goal in a third period.

The other host country, Latvia, got a massive defeat in their opening game against Canada. Last year’s World Championship’s runner-up won 6-0 after goals by Mac Kenzie Weegar, Samuel Blais, Joe Veleno, Jack McBain, Scott Laughton and Lawson Crouse.

NHL Playoffs

Florida Panthers 3 – 2 Toronto Maple Leafs – FLA wins 4-1

The Panthers advanced to the Conference Finals for the second time in franchise history and first time in 27 years after beating Toronto 3-2 on overtime of last night’s game. Nick Cousins scored the series-clinching goal.

Edmonton Oilers 3 – 4 Vegas Golden Knights – VGK leads 3-2

The Golden Knights made a comeback after a 2-1 deficit by the end of the first period with three goals in a span of 90 second in the second period, pushing the Oilers on the edge of elimination.