World Junior Hockey Championships 2016 Results: Saturday Group Scores, Reaction

The 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships kicked off in a big way Saturday as all of the tournament's top contenders were slated to be in action in the host nation of Finland.

In addition to the marquee matchup of Canada taking on Team USA, the likes of Russia, Czech Republic, Sweden and Finland were all scheduled to take the ice and begin their respective journeys toward a potential gold medal.

Here is a full rundown of scores and group standings related to the highly anticipated opening of the tournament Saturday.

Saturday Scoreboard

Group	Team 1	Team 2	Score
B	Russia	Czech Republic	2-1, Russia (SO)
A	Sweden	Switzerland	8-3, Sweden
B	Belarus	Finland	6-0, Finland
A	Canada	USA	4-2, USA

Group A Standings

Rank	Team	GP	W	OTW	OTL	L	Pts
1	Sweden	1	1	0	0	0	3
2	USA	1	1	0	0	0	3
3	Denmark	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Canada	1	0	0	0	1	0
5	Switzerland	1	0	0	0	1	0

Group B Standings

Rank	Team	GP	W	OTW	OTL	L	Pts
1	Finland	1	1	0	0	0	3
2	Russia	1	0	1	0	0	2
3	Czech Republic	1	0	0	1	0	1
4	Slovakia	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Belarus	1	0	0	0	1	0

Russia vs. Czech Republic

The opening game of the 2016 World Junior Championships featured a pair of rivals who have had no shortage of big-time battles over the years as Russia and the Czech Republic once again locked horns.

Russia ultimately came out on top 2-1 by virtue of a Maxim Lazarev shootout goal, but things looked bleak for the Russians for much of the contest.

The Czechs seized a 1-0 lead with just over six minutes remaining in the second period as Winnipeg Jets prospect Michael Spacek beat goalie Alexander Georgiev on a beautiful penalty-shot goal.

With the Czech Republic in firm control through two periods, former NHL goalie Chris Holt didn't like Russia's chances of mounting a comeback due to a sense of individuality rather than teamwork:

The Russians proved Holt wrong, though, as Artur Lauta tied the game at 1-1 nearly midway through the third period with assists from Radel Fazleev and Alexander Dergachyov.

After a scoreless, five-minute overtime period, the matchup was determined via a shootout, and Lazarev was the only one who was able to find the back of the net.

While both teams are likely to advance to the knockout round since four teams make it in each group, Russia has a significant advantage already in terms of seeding for the next round.

Sweden vs. Switzerland

Sweden got its tournament off to an excellent start Saturday with an 8-3 win over Switzerland, but it may have come at a price as both William Nylander and Adrian Kempe were forced to leave the game due to injury.

Nylander, who was the No. 8 overall selection in the 2014 NHL draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, opened the scoring just over one minute into the game, but he didn't make it through the first period as a high hit by Chris Egli put him out of action.

Egli was ejected from the game, and Chris Johnston of Sportsnet had no doubt that it was the right decision:

Even without Nylander and Kempe, who exited in the second period, Sweden poured it on, which prompted the Swiss to make a goalie change en route to defeat.

While much of the focus was on Nylander entering the game, another Leafs prospect stole the show as Dmytro Timashov scored twice for the Swedes.

TSN's Bryan Hayes pointed out that Timashov deserves more attention after such a dominant performance:

Timashov was considered a steal in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL draft as most scouting services had him ranked significantly higher.

He showed precisely why Saturday, and Sweden's gold medal hopes may very well now rest on his shoulders depending upon the health of both Nylander and Kempe.

Belarus vs. Finland

It took some time for host Finland to finally break the seal against an overmatched Belarus squad, but the goals came fast and furious as soon as Jesse Puljujarvi put Suomi on top 1-0 late in the second period.

Finland added five more markers in the third period to win their opener 6-0, as they pursue their second World Junior gold in three years.

Puljujarvi scored twice and added an assist, but his linemates may have been equally impressive. Carolina Hurricanes prospect Sebastian Aho tallied three assists, while Patrik Laine netted a goal of his own.

ESPN's Corey Pronman was among those who were mesmerized when all three forwards were on the ice at the same time:

Both Puljujarvi and Laine figure to be high picks in the 2016 NHL draft, and they showed why in what virtually turned into an exhibition against Belarus in the third period.

There is no doubt that the level of competition will get much tougher for the Finns as the tournament progresses, but their offensive firepower gives them a great chance to contend.

Add in the fact that Finland surrendered just 10 shots on goal, and it can be argued that no team has a better shot at slaying perennial powers like Canada, the United States and Russia en route to gold.

Canada vs. USA

Canada and the United States usually don't meet until the latter stages of group play at the World Junior Championships, but they opened against each other Saturday, and the game was every bit as intense as usual.

Team Canada was favored as it so often is, but the Americans showed a great deal of mettle by battling back from a 1-0 deficit and overcoming additional adversity to pick up a 4-2 win.

According to Chris Peters of CBS Sports, this marks Team USA's first win over Canada in group play in nearly two decades:

That fate seemed unlikely early on as star American forward Alex DeBrincat was ejected for spearing Canadian forward Travis Konecny.

Per Hayes, the OHL's leading scorer should have been more aware of the type of environment he was in:

Canada took the lead early in the second period with a goal from Mathew Barzal, but the Americans answered later in the frame when Colin White scored.

The United States took its first lead of the game just over seven minutes into the second frame on a goal by defenseman Zach Werenski, however, 2015 No. 3 overall pick Dylan Strome answered a few minutes later for Canada.

Just when it seemed like the game was destined to go to overtime, Team USA regained the lead when defenseman Louie Belpedio's point shot deflected off the stick of Canada's Joe Hicketts with over three minutes left.

Less than a minute later, likely 2016 No. 1 overall pick Auston Matthews put the game away for the Americans with a goal of his own.

Matthews finished with one goal and one assist for Team USA, which controls its own destiny with regard to seizing the No. 1 seed in its group, although it must get past Sweden in order to do so.

There is little doubt that the Americans are brimming with confidence after beating Canada, though, and they have a great chance to improve upon their disappointing fifth-place finish from last year.

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