In the second period of Team Germany’s 5-0 victory Tuesday, JJ Peterka roared through the neutral zone before splitting two Team France defenders and slickly scoring his fourth goal of the World Championship.
Peterka, who recently completed his rookie season with the Buffalo Sabres, has enjoyed a stellar tournament, recording a team-high nine points and a plus-eight rating in seven games. Right now, the winger’s tied for third in tournament scoring.
The Sabres, of course, hope Peterka, 21, can use the World Championship as a springboard for NHL success like center Dylan Cozens did.
Fresh off a 13-goal, 38-point season in 2021-22, Cozens scored seven goals and 13 points in 10 games for Team Canada. The confidence he generated almost certainly contributed to his breakout 31-goal, 68-point campaign for the Sabres in 2022-23.
Peterka experienced an up-and-down season in Buffalo, recording 12 goals and 32 points in 77 games. Still, he showcased plenty of skill while skating much of the year beside Cozens on the second line.
With Germany, he has been showcasing more of his talent.
Some other updates on Sabres participating in the World Championship in Finland and Latvia:
– Winger Alex Tuch has compiled four goals, six points and a plus-8 rating in seven games for Team USA.
– Winger Jack Quinn has registered four assists, a shootout-winning goal and a plus-4 rating in seven games for Canada.
– Center Peyton Krebs has recorded one goal, two points and an even rating in seven games for Canada. Krebs scored in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Czechia.
– Goalie Devon Levi compiled a 2.00 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage in his one appearance for Canada, a win.
– Every Sabres player participating has advanced to the quarterfinal.
John Peterka turns on the jets and puts @deb_teams ahead 3-0!🇩🇪💨@BuffaloSabres #IIHFWorlds #GERFRA pic.twitter.com/omq7jko1W7
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 23, 2023
