The first handful of games at the Summer World Juniors didn't prove to be all that competitive. This is hardly anything new at the tournament. It's always been a high-scoring affair. But something about this summer version has made for even more high-flying hockey.

It was checking optional in Czechia and Slovakia's game, with a handful of puck carriers sprinting through defensive formations uncontested to the net for scoring chances. And then Team USA dismantled an undermanned German team that was missing its best young stars, accumulating power plays and scoring chances at will.

Things seemed to get a little more tight on the second day of the tournament, though. Switzerland went toe-to-toe with Sweden in their matchup, and a Canada/Latvia game that seemed destined for a lopsided score was