Florida Panthers: Spencer Knight & Grigori Denisenko Both Drop WJC Openers

Boxing Day isn’t just a day known for shopping but one where you gather around your TV to watch your favorite team’s prospects compete in the World Juniors.

The Florida Panthers have three of their own prospects competing in the World Juniors Tournament for their respective nations.

2019’s 13th overall pick, Spencer Knight, is among one of the stars of the tournament. The American-born goaltender is regarded as the best netminder at this year’s competition, expected to land the Goaltender of the Tournament Award.

In addition, the Panthers also have their 15th overall selection (2018) in Grigori Denisenko – a Russian sniper who made his mark in last year’s tournament. The 19-year-old recorded an outstanding slash line of nine points (4G & 5A) in seven games, leading Team Russia to a Bronze Medal finish, along with being named in the WJC All-Star Team and finishing the competition as the tournament’s leader in points.

Justin Schütz, the third Panthers prospect to be competing in these games, was drafted 170th overall (7th round) in 2018. The left-winger will be playing for Team Germany, where he will be competing for the first time in this tournament.

On day one, Team Russia and Denisenko opened up their tournament taking on the hosts, the Czech Republic. To much surprise, the Czech went on to upset the Russians by a score of 4-3. Denisenko recorded a secondary assist on Russia’s first goal.

For the most part, Denisenko was quiet, much like the rest of his teammates. The Czechs did a good job of containing Russia’s snipers, playing a sound defensive game. The Russians, on the other hand, were slow to start the game, conceding twice before rallying back. Ultimately, the Czechs had enough to hang on.

The game of the day was the classic matchup of the Americans vs the Canadians. Spencer Knight and his fellow Americans got off to a great start in the opening twenty minutes, taking a commanding two-goal lead while minimizing the chances offered to their opponents.

But the Canadian’s forecheck was just too strong to resist as the Americans saw their two-goal lead erased and later turned into a 4-2 deficit. Knight wasn’t on his usual game but by no means was he a slouch, either. He conceded five goals on 32 shots but none were simply his fault. Knight and the Americans would end up dropping their first game by a score of 6-4.

Justin Schütz and his Germans – who were off today with no game – kick-off their tournament against Spencer Knight and the Americans tomorrow at 1 P.M. Grigori Denisenko and Russia are back in action on Saturday, December. 28 at 1 P.M. to take on the Canadians.

Your Panthers are back in play on Saturday, December. 28 @ 7 P.M. against the Detroit Red Wings, looking to get back into the win column.