Canucks prospects tracker, WJC edition: Podkolzin, Costmar mix it up as Russia snaps Sweden's streak
It’s the latest edition of the World Junior Championships tracker, where we tally up the efforts of the Vancouver Canucks’ highest-profile prospects:
So you want to be a Vancouver Canuck?
First, you’ve got to beat a Vancouver Canuck.
Fellow Canucks prospects Vasili Podkolzin and Arvid Costmar went head-to-head at the world juniors on Wednesday night as Russia snapped Sweden’s 54-game round robin winning streak with a 4-3 overtime win.
Podkolzin, 19, started the game with some pop, but it was Costmar who would find the net first.
On the goal, Costmar — a defensive-minded centre drafted in the seventh-round in 2019 — savvily positioned himself at the top of the crease and shovelled a pass into the net on his backhand.
The goal, which evened the score at 1-1 late in the first period, was Costmar’s second of the tournament.
Vancouver #Canucks prospect Arvid Costmar ties things up 1-1 late in the first period. That’s Costmar’s second of the tournament.
— 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀 Faber 🤙🔥🎙 (@ChrisFaber39) December 31, 2020
🎥:@TSN_Sports pic.twitter.com/RkWbNmKK3O
Earlier in the period, it was Podkolzin — the Canucks’ 2019 first rounder — who was generating the scoring chances, making several dangerous forays to the net, with one resulting in a disallowed goal by Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2020 first-rounder Rodion Amirov.
#Canucks Podkolzin crashing the net easily fending off Broberg. Probably a good goal and primary 🍎 for him in the NHL. https://t.co/s8jGlzWydz
— CanucksAbbyFan2 (@Fan2Abby) December 31, 2020
On another play, the 6-foot-1, 192-pound winger picked up the puck in the neutral zone, went wide around the Swedish defence only to be stopped by the outstretched pad of goaltender Jesper Wallstedt.
Soon after, TSN’s Ray Ferraro commented on how much he’s liked Podkolzin’s game the last couple of nights.
“It’s his third (world juniors) so you’d expect him to be good,” said Ferraro. “But he’s really been Russia’s best player.”
Last 4 periods Podkolzin has been a beast..strong, determined, productive..leader by effort every shift it seems
— Ray Ferraro (@rayferrarotsn) December 31, 2020
Midway through the period, Podkolzin and Costmar got tangled up with each other, with Costmar seemingly being the only Swede willing to physically engage with the bullish Russian. A visibly frustrated Podkolzin, pulled to the ice by Costmar, took a swipe with his stick at the 5-foot-11, 187-pound Swede.
Now now, boys. We are all Canucks.
Vasili Podkolzin and Arvid Costmar, both @Canucks prospects, going at it in the #WorldJuniors.
— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) December 31, 2020
(📹: @TSN_Sports) pic.twitter.com/tYNv1ugWi5
Podkolzin and Amirov would hook up for a power-play goal late in the first period, with Podkolzin taking a pass on the backhand in front of the net and dishing the puck across the crease to an open Amirov.
This one's going to count for Rodion Amirov and it's 2-1 Russia! pic.twitter.com/hbypbMOCFc
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 31, 2020
In the second period, Costmar had a couple of chances, with his best shot coming from the slot on a power play. Podkolzin, who was stung blocking a shot on the same Swedish power play, continued to play his power game, barging his way to the net early in the period and trying to jam the puck home.
Vasily Podkolzin being Vasily Podkolzin. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/JgjGtXDrXI
— Dylan Griffing (@Dylan_Griffing) December 31, 2020
Sweden, outshot and outplayed in the first period, carried the play in the second period and were rewarded with three straight power plays. New Jersey Devils 2020 seventh-overall pick Alexander Holtz scored with four minutes left to tie the game at 2-2.
Costmar continued to agitate, this time getting under forward Mikhail Abramov’s skin after a faceoff. Abramov, a Maple Leafs 2019 fourth-rounder, also retaliated, kicking Costmar’s feet out from underneath him and taking another Russian penalty.
Arvid Costmar (#Canucks) baits Mikhail Abramov (#LeafsForever) into an interference penalty. pic.twitter.com/lpyRa8mWQe
— Dylan Griffing (@Dylan_Griffing) December 31, 2020
During the second intermission, TSN analyst Bob McKenzie broke down Costmar’s pesky play, saying “Vancouver Canucks fans are going to warm up to Costmar.”
The game tightened considerably in the third period. Podkolzin drew a hooking penalty around halfway through, then found himself in the high slot during the power play as Kirill Kirsanov fired a wrist shot post-and-in for the 3-2 go-ahead goal.
Later, Costmar had a scoring chance in close but his shot was smothered by Nashville Predators’ 2020 first-rounder Yaroslav Askarov.
“He’s been really effective tonight,” said Ferraro, noting Costmar’s goal and agitating game.
Costmar nearly tied the game with a couple minutes left, ripping a shot over Askarov and off the crossbar. But with the goalie pulled, Sweden would get the equalizer on a deflection in the slot.
Costmar and Podkolzin each had shifts in the 3-on-3 overtime, with neither of them able to generate a clear chance. But it was Costmar with the costly mistake, taking a holding penalty with 25 second left, leading to Marat Khusnutdinov’s winner with five seconds left.
Sweden’s last loss in world junior round robin play was a 3-2 overtime defeat to the Americans on December 31, 2006 in Sweden.
Costmar finished the game with a goal, four shots on net, a plus-1 rating and two penalty minutes in 18:04.
Podkolzin had an assist, seven shots on net and an even rating in 19:39.
Sweden next face the USA on Thursday night, while Russia (3-1) waits to see who tops Group B.