The Columbus Blue Jackets four prospects at the 2019 WJC have had some ups and some downs through the quarterfinals.
The World Junior Championship in Vancouver and Victoria are through the quarterfinals and three out of four of the Columbus Blue Jackets prospects are moving on. Through the quarterfinals, we’ve seen some good, bad and ugly performances.
Swiss defenseman Tim Berni has played well for the small mountain nation. The Columbus Blue Jackets 6th round pick from this summer is the power play quarterback and top pairing defenseman for the team that upset the Swedes in the quarterfinals.
Berni has been all over the ice defensively for the Swiss and has really impressed as an 18-year-old. He only has one point in five games, but is logging a ton of minutes and has made some big defensive plays including this one against Sweden.
This isn't the first time that Tim Berni has gotten back to break up a breakaway in this tournament. He's been one of the better D in this tournament. #WJC2019 pic.twitter.com/609tICpw6o
— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) January 2, 2019
The huge upset for the Swiss came against Emil Bemstrom and team Sweden. Bemstrom had been incredibly impressive as well for the Swedes and was one of the best, if not the best, player for Sweden in the tournament. He leads the entire tournament in shots on goals (26) and is second in goals with four.
Bemstrom stood out in a group that had several first round picks and players with NHL experience. Not bad for a fourth round pick. He will return to Sweden where he is having an exceptional year with Djurgardens.
The two Russian prospects for the Jackets have had a fine tournament up to this point with limited playing time. Goalie Daniil Tarasov was run over in a game and missed a few starts but returned to the ice late in the Russian’s quarterfinal victory over the Slovaks. Tarasov has been one of the better goalies when healthy. He is fifth in save percentage with a .922 mark.
2018 2nd round pick Kirill Marchenko making the Russian team was an accomplishment in itself. Russia rarely takes underage players and when they do, they use them very infrequently. Markchenko has one goal in five games in limited ice time. He will be a big factor for the Russian’s 2020 WJC team.
Tim Berni and the Swiss team will take on Finland Friday for the right to play for the gold medal. Expect Tarasov to start in net in the semifinal matchup against Team USA on Friday for Russia.