Team Sweden came into the preliminary round with high expectations-but in tournament hockey, early missteps can come back to bite you. Despite closing things out with a 5-3 win over Slovakia, the Swedes found themselves on the wrong side of the standings tiebreaker. Dalibor Dvorsky’s late goal for Slovakia didn’t just make the score closer-it shifted the group’s fate entirely.
With that goal, Slovakia and Sweden both finished Group B play with a +2 goal differential. And thanks to Finland’s 11-0 demolition of Italy in their finale, the final standings saw Slovakia take the top spot, Finland slide into second, and Sweden-favored by many to win the group-settle for third. That’s the kind of twist that makes international tournaments so unpredictable.
For Sweden, Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin once again anchored the blue line, logging a team-high 24:27 of ice time. He also picked up an assist on Adrian Kempe’s second-period goal, continuing to show why he’s one of the most relied-upon defensemen in the tournament.
Across the ice in Team USA’s 6-3 win over Denmark, Tage Thompson saw limited usage-just 11 shifts and 9:12 of ice time. That’s a surprisingly light workload for a player of his caliber, and something to keep an eye on as the tournament progresses.
As for Finland, their win over Italy wasn’t just dominant-it was a statement. Former Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen posted a +5 rating and added two assists in just over 18 minutes of ice time.
Joel Armia chipped in a goal and an assist, while Henri Jokiharju added a helper of his own. The Finns looked sharp, and their veterans played like it.
Sabres Prospect Watch: 2023 Draft Class Update
Let’s check in on how some of the Sabres’ 2023 draft picks are developing this season. It’s a mixed bag, but there are encouraging signs.
Scott Ratzlaff - G - 141st overall
Ratzlaff’s journey has taken a few turns this season. After posting decent numbers last year with the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds (23-19-4, 3.16 GAA, .910 save %), he found himself in the ECHL with the Jacksonville Icemen to start this season. There, he went 5-6-0 with a 2.99 GAA and a solid .916 save percentage.
When veteran netminder Alexandar Georgiev left for the KHL, Ratzlaff was recalled to the AHL’s Rochester Americans. Splitting backup duties with Topias Leinonen, Ratzlaff has held his own-posting a 3-1-0 record with a 2.54 GAA and a .902 save percentage over five games. Not bad for a 20-year-old still finding his footing in the pro game.
Sean Keohane - D - 173rd overall
Keohane is a big-bodied blueliner at 6’4”, 205 pounds, and he’s taken an unconventional path. Originally set to play a full USHL season with Tri-City before heading to Harvard, he made a mid-season move to the BCHL’s West Kelowna to get more ice time.
Last season, Keohane played 11 games for Harvard and notched two assists. This year, he’s seen more action-25 games so far-with three points (2 goals, 1 assist).
The offensive numbers aren’t eye-popping, but the key for Keohane is development and consistency. He’s still raw, but the tools are there.
Norwin Panocha - D - 205th overall
Panocha’s story is one of persistence. Drafted out of Germany’s DEL, the 6’2” defenseman made the jump to North America to play for Chicoutimi in the QMJHL, where he recorded 15 assists in 52 games. But after being dropped by the Sagueneens, he was picked up by Prince Albert in the CHL Import Draft-only to be dropped again after just three games.
After a brief stint in the USHL, Panocha returned home to Berlin. He tallied two assists in 16 games last season for the DEL champion Polar Bears.
This season, he’s added three assists in 36 games and has also seen time in Germany’s second-division pro league. It’s been a winding road, but he’s still just 20 and gaining valuable experience in a strong European system.
While Sweden’s stumble in the group stage stings, the tournament is far from over. And for Sabres fans keeping tabs on both their NHL stars and future prospects, there’s plenty to watch-on both sides of the Atlantic.