Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson leads Sweden past Poland

A look at how players with connections to the Pittsburgh Penguins have done in the ongoing International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship Tournament:

Two goals and an assist by Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson led Sweden to a 5-1 win against Poland in a preliminary round game at Ostravar Arena in Vítkovice, Czechia on Sunday.

Skating on Sweden’s top pairing, Karlsson recorded 22:58 of ice time on 25 shifts and had four shots.

Fellow Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson was deployed on Sweden’s second pairing and clocked 16:10 of ice time on 18 shifts while recording one shot.

Highlights:

Sweden’s next game is against Germany on Monday, 2:20 p.m.

Penguins forward Jesse Puljujarvi had a goal and two assists for Finland which routed Great Britain, 8-0, at the O2 Arena in Prague.

Starting the contest on the right wing of the second line, Puljujarvi logged 16:39 of ice time on 22 shifts and recorded three shots.

Fellow Penguins forward Valtteri Puustinen skated on the right wing of Finland’s top line and was held without a shot while clocking 17:42 of ice time on 20 shifts while recording four shots.

Highlights:

Finland’s next game is against Norway on Monday, 10:20 a.m. (EDT).

Penguins forward Michael Bunting had an assist for Canada which defeated Denmark, 5-1, at the O2 Arena.

Skating on the left wing of the top line, Bunting logged 12:06 of ice time on 18 shifts and recorded four shots as well as two penalty minutes.

Highlights:

Canada’s next game is against Austria on Tuesday, 2:20 p.m.

Penguins forward prospect Raivis Ansons was held without a point in Latvia’s 3-2 overtime win against France at Ostravar Arena.

Serving as Latvia’s fourth-line center, Ansons had 9:19 of ice time on 15 shifts and was 3 for 11 (27.2%) on faceoffs).

Highlights:

Latvia’s next game is against Kazakhstan on Tuesday, 10:20 a.m.

Penguins defensive prospect Thimo Nickl was scratched for Austria in a 6-5 loss to Switzerland at the O2 Arena.

Highlights:

The Austrian Ice Hockey Association announced Nickl’s addition to the roster Sunday morning. Nickl’s NHL rights were acquired by the Penguins in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks on March 31, 2023. Having never signed an NHL contract, his NHL rights are scheduled to expire on June 1.

Nickl spent the entire 2023-24 season with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL. In 66 games, he had 21 points (two goals, 19 assists). He became available for the tournament after the Nailers were eliminated from the Kelly Cup playoffs on Friday.

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