The 2023 World Juniors Ice Hockey Championships began on Boxing Day with a bang. An NHL first-round pick put on a dazzling display for his country to lead them to a win.
Switzerland and Finland battled in a hotly-contested game that went to overtime. In the end, the Swiss defeated Finland and were aided by a big name. Lian Bichsel, first-round pick in the 2022 Draft, put on a show on the way to creating Switzerland’s game-winner.
The sequence began for Bichsel, who was selected 18th overall by the Dallas Stars last summer, on one end of the ice and culminated on the other. Lassi Alanen, Director of European Scouting for Elite Prospects, tweeted a video of Bichsel’s great work. Lassi tweeted, “This OT sequence from Lian Bichsel to win the game for Switzerland was something else.”
This OT sequence from Lian Bichsel to win the game for Switzerland was something else. #WorldJuniors #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/Atrc7YotYe
— Lassi Alanen (@lassialanen) December 26, 2022
What a sequence, indeed. Bichsel played great defense on the Finland player with the puck on his stick. He picked at their pocket, thieved the puck, kept it under heavy duress, and dished it off. Teammate Attilio Biasca potted the chance, which gave Bichsel a well-earned assist, as TSN Sports tweeted.
ATTILIO BIASCA WINS IT FOR @SwissIceHockey IN OT 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/uYvZ83ZVN0
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2022
That is about as good as it gets for a hockey play. Alanen noted that this was just the tip of the iceberg. It was the capper to a “monster performance” against Finland, as Alanen put it.
Lian Bichsel's monster performance versus Finland (5v5 only):
• 0.19 xG, 1 scoring chance
• 1 controlled exit, 3 first pass plays in DZ
• 5 entries prevented (83% entry prevention rate)
• 2 DZ retrievals, 3 DZ breakups
• 6 advantages created #WorldJuniors #TexasHockey— Lassi Alanen (@lassialanen) December 26, 2022
That’s quite the start to the World Juniors for Bichsel. If his start is any indication, he could be in for one heck of a tournament.