Patrick Cehlin (Sweden), Ryan Ellis (Canada), and David Elsner (Germany) opened their World Junior Championships on Sunday. In Preliminary Round action, Canada and Sweden are in Pool B with Team Russia, Team Czech Republic, and Team Norway. Team Germany are in Pool A with Team USA, Team Finland, Team Slovakia, and Team Switzerland.

Ellis and Team Canada opened with an impressive 6-3 win over Team Russia. Ellis was named Canada's Player of the Game, scoring one goal and registering a game-high seven shots. Russia opened the scoring 3:57 into the game, but Canada tied the score with a power-play tally late in the first period. Ellis netted an even strength goal midway through the second period to put the Canadians up 2-1. The teams alternated scores in the middle frame, ending Period 2 tied, 3-3. Team Canada scored three times in the third frame to claim the win, including a pair of power-play markers.

Cehlin posted a strong three-point effort to lead Team Sweden to a 7-1 win over Team Norway to earn Sweden's Player of the Game honors. With the Swedes up 2-0 after one period of play, Cehlin netted a pair of second period goals -- and was denied on a penalty shot attempt after drawing a tripping penalty late in the frame -- to give Sweden a 4-0 lead heading into the third period. Cehlin added a third period assist to close out his evening.

Elsner was held out of Germany's tournament opener, a 4-3 loss to Switzerland.

Germany returns to action on Monday with a match-up against Slovakia. Canada and Sweden both have a day off on Monday, but will play again on Tuesday. Canada against Czech Republic, Sweden against Russia.