May 24 Blog Worlds2568x1444

It was a packed day for those Devils players participating at the 2022 IIHF Men's World Championship, as Tuesday was the final day of preliminary round play. For more on yesterday's action,
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SWITZERLAND 4, GERMANY 3 (SO)
Switzerland: Nico Hischier, Jonas Siegenthaler
Devils Captain Nico Hischier came up big for Switzerland, scoring the shootout winner to secure a 4-3 victory. With the win, Switzerland went an almost perfect 6-1-0-0 and collected 20 of 21 possible points in the group stage.
Hischier played 19:24 in today's game and had two shots on goal. Through seven preliminary round games the Devils Captain had five goals and three assists for eight points.
Jonas Siegenthaler played 24:54 in the win and finished the game +1. Through the group stage, the Devils defenseman added one goal and four assists for a total of five points. He finished the preliminary round +8, and served a total of four penalty minutes.
Next: Switzerland hosts the U.S. in Helsinki for a quarterfinal matchup on Thursday.
SLOVAKIA 7, DENMARK 1
Slovakia: Tomas Tatar
Once Slovakia started scoring in the first period, they never looked back, picking up a big 7-1 victory on the final day of the group stage. When it came to getting the ball rolling for Slovakia, it was all Devils forward Tomas Tatar. The forward scored two goals in the first period, one 10 minutes in and a second with just under 30 seconds left in the opening frame. Denmark's lone goal started the scoring in the third period, before two more tallies from Slovakia secured the dominating 7-1 win.
Tatar finished the game with two goals on four shots through 11:42 of playing time. Through seven group stage games Tatar had three goals and three assists for six total points.
Slovakia finished the group stage 4-0-3, with 12 of 20 points. Tuesday's victory with a 3+ goal differential, booked Slovakia a spot in the quarterfinals.
Next: Slovakia faces Finland in a quarterfinal matchup on May 26.
UNITED STATES 4, NORWAY 2
USA: Luke Hughes, Jon Gillies
Two first period goals and an empty netter in the final minute of regulation helped secure a 4-2 victory for the U.S in their final group stage game. Going into the contest, the Americans had its quarterfinal berth secured; however, the team rebounded from a 1-0 loss to Czechia on Monday.
Devils prospect Luke Hughes had an assist in the American's win over Denmark. The 2021 fourth-overall pick finished the preliminary round with one goal and two assists for three points. Goaltender Jon Gillies dressed for three preliminary round games; however, did not see any action in the group stage.
The U.S. finished fourth in Group B, going 3-2-2, and picking up 13 of 20 possible points.
Next: The U.S. travels to Helsinki to face Group A's top team, Switzerland, in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
CANADA 7, FRANCE 1
Canada: Damon Severson, Dawson Mercer, Ryan Graves
After losing their last two games, Canada was looking to end the group stage with a win. Tuesday, they were able to do that with Canada taking down France, 7-1. A pair of Canadian goals in the first and second periods helped build a solid lead, and three in the final frame secured the win.
Devils defenseman Damon Severson scored against France and played 13:42. He contributed two goals and five assists in the group stage and was +7.
Devils forward Dawson Mercer had the lone assist on Canada's fifth goal of the game. Mercer played 12:59 in the win. The rookie finishes the group stage with four assists and a +4 rating.
Defenseman Ryan Graves contributed one goal and five assists in the group round for Canada, and was +7 through those seven games. Graves played 16:53 on Tuesday against France.
Canada finishes the group stage with a 5-0-2 record and is third in Group A.
Next: Canada heads to the quarterfinal round where they'll play Sweden on Thursday.