Canucks prospects tracker, 2021 WJC edition: Czech mate — Podkolzin, Russians blanked in 2-0 loss
It’s the latest edition of the World Junior Championship tracker, where we tally up the efforts of the Vancouver Canucks’ highest-profile prospects:
Vasili Podkolzin
They love me. They love me not.
Fresh off what some saw as a
disappointing tournament-opener
for the Vancouver Canucks’ top prospect, Podkolzin couldn’t get it going offensively again in Russia’s 2-0 loss to the Czech Republic at the 2021 World Junior Championship on Sunday night.
The 2019 first-rounder, captaining a talented Russian side, had some moments in a tightly-contested first period, distributing the puck to his teammates and winning a bevy of battles. Midway through the period, Podkolzin whipped a dangerous pass across the Czech crease but couldn’t connect with a linemate.
Yegor Afanasyev fails to receive this absolute dime from Vasily Podkolzin pic.twitter.com/MPqr0vdVwq
— Dylan Griffing (@Dylan_Griffing) December 28, 2020
Later in the frame, Podkolzin found himself on a two-on-one that was eventually broken up by Czech defender Jan Mysak. The pass to Podkolzin didn’t have much steam on it, so the Canucks prospect tried to feed it back across the net, with Mysak getting a stick on the puck.
Big block from Jan Mysak to stop a dangerous shot from Vasily Podkolzin pic.twitter.com/8OCrXvZLR4
— Dylan Griffing (@Dylan_Griffing) December 28, 2020
Podkolzin, a 6-foot-1, 192-pound right-shot winger, was less noticeable in the second period, as the Czechs capitalized on a Shakir Mukhamadullin bobble at the blue-line and scored on the ensuing rush to make the score 1-0. Podkolzin wasn’t on the ice for the goal against.
Jakub Rychlovský takes advantage of Shakir Mukhamadullin and finds Filip Koffer. 1-0 to the Czechs. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/MUDNrZjCYZ
— Dylan Griffing (@Dylan_Griffing) December 28, 2020
The Czechs took a 2-0 lead in the third on a Martin Lang goal after Russian defenceman Daniil Chayka had a point shot blocked, springing Lang on a breakaway in which he beat Yaroslav Askarov on a quick wrister.
Martin Lang blocks the shot from Daniil Chayka, recovers the puck, and beats Yaroslav Askarov. 2-0 to the Czechs. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/012zCWfpf6
— Dylan Griffing (@Dylan_Griffing) December 28, 2020
Throughout the game, Podkolzin often found himself as a net-front presence, something that the Russians appeared to tweak in the third period as things got desperate.
Russia's down 2-0 and it looks like they're finally giving Podkolzin some leeway to leave the front of the net to create offense. First PP chance he tries a bank shot off a Czech defender. That shift probably needed to happen about 30 minutes ago.
— Lach in the CreaseMas🎄 (@LachInTheCrease) December 28, 2020
Podkolzin, 19, helped create a chance with under two minutes left in the game, but Czech goaltender Lukas Parik made the save on Yegor Chinakov in tight.
Nice return pass from Vasily Podkolzin, but Lukas Parik stops the attempt from Yegor Chinakhov pic.twitter.com/7agNSG2Nmq
— Dylan Griffing (@Dylan_Griffing) December 28, 2020
Podkolzin finished the game with two shots on net and an even rating.
Many Canucks fans are getting their first look at Podkolzin in a while and — spoiler alert — he’s not going to blow you away with his offensive game. This is a player whose pedigree rests on his defensive work rate, his on-ice vision and his truculent physical play.
He’s also tough as nails, as exhibited when he took a late, high hit and didn’t even drop to the ice in the 5-3 win over the USA on Christmas.
Landon Slaggert put a shoulder in the chest of Podkolzin, but catches his chin with his helmet. Bit late. No call. #Blackhawks #WorldJuniors #USAvsRUS
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) December 26, 2020
pic.twitter.com/pPZaFvkxU3
He’s also a natural leader. In that same USA game, Podkolzin repeatedly pulled teammates out of after-whistle scrums, with Chayka telling KHL.com’s Gillian Kemmerer afterwards that Podkolzin “is someone who should be a captain anywhere that he plays.”
Have seen Podkolzin retrieving his teammates from scuffles more than once tonight. His leadership has been touted by players and coaches alike. Chayka: “I think he is someone who should be a captain anywhere that he plays.” #WorldJuniors
— Gillian Kemmerer (@gilliankemmerer) December 26, 2020
“Problems with our discipline in the third period of the game against the US? Yes, discipline is a hugely important component of ice hockey, we only have to look back at the final of the 2020 #WorldJuniors.” - Podkolzin to @russiahockey ahead of tonight’s clash
— Gillian Kemmerer (@gilliankemmerer) December 27, 2020
Still, as the 10th-overall pick of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Podkolzin is expected to put points on the board — especially at the junior level. He’s taking some heat online for not producing — something the future Canuck will look to change against Austria on Tuesday.
The Austrians were demolished by the Americans 11-0 on Saturday, so Podkolzin and the Russians will view the matchup as a get-well game.
Podkolzin has no points in two games this tournament. He has two goals, four assists and a plus-1 rating in 24 KHL games this season.
Canucks prospects playing elsewhere:
Dmitri Zlodeyev
He’s making the most of his playing time at home after missing out on Russia’s world junior squad.
Zlodeyev scored a goal this past week for Dynamo Moscow in VHL action, as the 18-year-old notched his fifth tally of the season in Russia’s second-tier men’s league.
The goal came in a 3-1 win on Christmas Day against Buran Voronezh, with Zlodeyev opening the scoring against his hometown team.
On the goal, Zlodeyev — a defensive-minded centre with some serious puck skills — took a pass at the opposition’s blue line midway through the first period, stickhandled around a defender and ripped a wrist shot past the goalie’s outstretched glove.
#Canucks VHL
— CanucksAbbyFan2 (@Fan2Abby) December 25, 2020
A clearer look at Z snipe his 🚨. pic.twitter.com/9GUTG1pmsE
The 2020 sixth-rounder had a look at scoring again in the second period, neatly tipping a shot that was stopped by the goaltender.
#Canucks VHL
— CanucksAbbyFan2 (@Fan2Abby) December 25, 2020
Early in the second period, Zlodeyev comes close to deflecting in his second tally of the game. pic.twitter.com/Tp4Uvc0rj5
Zlodeyev, who stands at 5-foot-11 and 183 pounds, was also engaged physically, mixing it up with a Voronezh defender after a whistle in the third period.
#Canucks VHL
— CanucksAbbyFan2 (@Fan2Abby) December 25, 2020
#36 Z is another #Canucks teenager prospect who won't let himself be pushed around by 30 year old men. pic.twitter.com/uMc7idyCTB
Zlodeyev didn’t find the scoresheet in Sunday’s 3-1 loss to HC Tambov, but was given third-line minutes as he continues to gain the coaches’ trust at the professional level.
#Canucks VHL
— CanucksAbbyFan2 (@Fan2Abby) December 27, 2020
One little snippet from the 2nd period:
With 6.6 secs on the clock in a 1-1 game, Dynamo's coach puts 18 year old Z on the ice in the D zone to take the face off to shut the period down. It is a sign of how well he already plays defensively in a pro mens' league. pic.twitter.com/86WWpR4SWX
Should he continue his strong play, it won’t be long before Zlodeyev makes his KHL debut. After all, he was slated to get his first KHL start late last month before an injury set him back.
Zlodeyev has five goals and a minus-1 rating in 15 VHL games this season. He also has four goals, eight assists and a plus-8 rating in 15 games in the junior-level MHL.