IIHF World Championships Day One Blackhawks Recap: Reichel Shines, Canada Stunned

Seven of the eight Chicago Blackhawks players representing their countries were in action on Friday to kick-off the first day of game for the 2021 IIHF World Championships being held in Latvia. Out of Day One we saw two Blackhawks players with multi-point efforts and a massive upset for the host Latvian squad.

Russia (ROC) def. Czech Republic, 4-3

In the first game of the tournament, the Russians topped the Czech Republic in dramatic fashion, scoring the game-winning goal with just 19 seconds left in regulation for a 4-3 win. Blackhawks representation for the Russians at the World Championships is comprised of defenseman Nikita Zadorov and forward Max Shalunov. Neither registered a point in the 4-3 win, but both were +1 and Shalunov went 5-for-11 at the face-off dot.

Getting on the scoresheet in Game One for the Czech side was Blackhawks forward Dominik Kubalík, first with a primary assist on Jakub Vrana’s game-tying 2-2 goal in the second period, and then with a powerplay goal late in the third period to again tie the game at 3-3 at that point.

Kubalík adding to his already impressive resume at the World Championships with his two points today he now has 22 points in 19 World Championship games in his career. The Czech Republic play tomorrow against Switzerland, where Kubalík will face fellow Blackhawks teammate Philipp Kurashev, while the Russians are back in action tomorrow against Great Britain.

Germany def. Italy, 9-4

The hype around Blackhawks 2020 first-round pick Lukas Reichel continues to grow as we anticipate his professional debut in North America. In the opening game of the World Cahmpionships with Germany, Reichel notched a goal and two assists in a 9-4 win over Italy.

It wasn’t a hot start for Reichel as a first period turnover led to the Italian’s first goal of the game in the opening period. He bounced back with a pair of secondary assists and a right place, right time goal on the doorstep to help Germany get a win in their opening game of the tournament.

Reichel finished with three points, a +3 rating, four shots on goal and went 4-for-9 at the face-off dot in his first IIHF World Championship game. Germany is back in action tomorrow against Norway, a 4:15 a.m. CT start time.

Latvia def. Canada, 2-0

Closing the day with the most stunning result, the Canadians fell 2-0 to host nation Latvia in their opening game of the tournament. Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks pitched a shutout with 38 saves to blank the favored Canadian squad.

 

Obviously with no score, there would be no score summary from any Blackhawks players. Brandon Pirri and Brandon Hagel each registered four shots on goal in the contest. Pirri skating 17:42 minutes in the game with Hagel clocking 11:49 minutes. Defenseman Nicolas Beaudin had 8:53 minutes of ice-time, the third-lowest on the Canadian squad and was a -1 in the process.

It’s the first time in Latvian Hockey history that they have defeated Canada in an IIHF World Championship game and they did it with zero current NHL players on their roster. Canada will lick their wounds and look for a rebound effort on Sunday as they prepare to take on the United States.

written by

Mario Tirabassi is a writer for Bleacher Nation. You can follow him on Twitter @Mario_Tirabassi.

more blackhawks news

Blackhawks at Senators – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

Don't look now, but the Chicago Blackhawks have won six of their last ten games. They still sit in second for the NHL draft lottery, but they're trending in the right direction; they're .500 in the month of March with...

These 3 Blackhawks Veterans Are Having Terrific Seasons

Entering Thursday night's action, the Chicago Blackhawks have the second-worst point percentage in the NHL -- even while they're 6-4-0 in their last 10 games. And they own the second-worst goal differential in the league (minus-76). It's been a long,...

28 on 28: Steve Larmer’s Rookie Season Remains the Blackhawks’ Standard

We're ten games away from the end of the 2023-24 regular season, and Connor Bedard continues to put up remarkable numbers for at age 18 in his first professional season. He will likely join Steve Larmer on the list of...

The Greatest Sports Watching Day of the Year, Next Year’s TV, an IceHogs Stunner, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Congratulations, sports fans! Today, March 28, 2024 is the greatest sports viewing day of the calendar year. Hands down, lock it up, no competition. It's Opening Day in MLB and Sweet 16 day one in the NCAA men's basketball tournament....

NHL Notes: Penguins Paradox, Torts Apologizes, Doan’s Dazzling Debut, Rangers Punch Ticket, More

It's a mid-week edition of NHL Notes and we have plenty to cover around the league. The Penguins find themselves with a tricky decision as their season draws to a close. John Tortorella dished out an apology to one of...

We Need to Talk About Jason Dickinson As a Selke Trophy Candidate — Again

Back in early February as the Blackhawks wrapped their pre-All-Star Game schedule, I wrote about Jason Dickinson's case for Selke Trophy votes. We're now ten games away from the end of Chicago's regular season, and with Dickinson reaching 20 goals...

Slaggert’s Big Night, Bedard’s Tape, Felcman to Rockford, Anderson, Tinordi, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

I'm gonna continue to smile, just like Landon Slaggert, because of his performance in last night's Blackhawks win. The former Notre Dame captain had his parents and young brother in the stands and he had one helluva game last night....

Blackhawks 3, Flames 1 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

The message Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson was trying to get across with Monday's bag skate clearly landed. The start Chicago had on Tuesday night was a polar opposite of what they showed in the three games in California. They...

Blackhawks vs Flames – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

After a disappointing road trip that saw the Blackhawks get smoked for 7 of 9 periods, the team got a bag skate on Monday to think about their effort. They'll get back on the ice tonight in front of a...

Happy Birthday Luke, Bag Skate Monday, Bedard vs. Faber, Saturday Cartoons, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Chicago Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson is celebrating a birthday today. He's celebrating his Korchinski year; today is his 55th birthday. Happy birthday, Luke! Hope you get a win tonight so you can celebrate with some wine. There have been...

Latest News

Heat vs. Trail Blazers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) are heavy underdogs (+14.5) as they attempt to break an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Heat (39-33) at 8:00 PM ET on Friday, March 29, 2024 at FTX Arena. The matchup airs...

Cavaliers vs. 76ers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) take the court against the Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) as 7.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under of 210 points.Cavaliers vs. 76ers OddsCavaliers odds to win:...

Knicks vs. Spurs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The New York Knicks (44-28) are heavily favored (-10) to continue a three-game winning streak when they visit the San Antonio Spurs (17-56) at 8:00 PM ET on Friday, March 29, 2024 at AT&T Center. The contest airs on BSSW....

Wizards vs. Pistons Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Detroit Pistons (12-61) are 2.5-point underdogs as they attempt to turn around an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Washington Wizards (14-59) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Capital One Arena. The matchup airs at 7:00 PM ET...

Pacers vs. Lakers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Los Angeles Lakers (41-32) will attempt to extend a five-game winning streak when they hit the road to play the Indiana Pacers (41-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as just 2.5-point underdogs. The game airs at...

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Western's top two teams, the Denver Nuggets (51-22) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (50-22), hit the court at Ball Arena on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET on ALT. The Nuggets are favored by 6.5 points at home....

Warriors vs. Hornets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Golden State Warriors (38-34) play the Charlotte Hornets (18-54) as double-digit, 11.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET on NBCS. The over/under is set at 218 in the matchup.Warriors vs. Hornets OddsWarriors odds to win:...

Clippers vs. Magic Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Los Angeles Clippers (45-27) visit the Orlando Magic (42-30) after winning three road games in a row. The Clippers are favored by only 1 point in the contest, which starts at 7:00 PM ET on Friday, March 29, 2024....

Bulls vs. Nets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Chicago Bulls (35-38) are favored by 5.5 points against the Brooklyn Nets (28-45) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET. The matchup airs on NBCS. The matchup's over/under is 215.Bulls vs. Nets OddsBulls odds to win: -218Nets...

Kings vs. Mavericks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks (43-29) are 1.5-point underdogs against De'Aaron Fox and the Sacramento Kings (42-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Golden 1 Center. The matchup begins at 10:00 PM ET on NBCS. The over/under for the matchup...

more blackhawks news