New York Islanders prospect Oliver Wahlstrom's performance for Team USA at the World Junior Hockey Championship did not go as expected.
The 2018 first round pick was deemed a 'loose cannon' through the tournament, and further proved that point during the final minute of the quarter final game between Team USA and Team Finland.
With Team USA down 1-0 with less than a minute left to play, Wahlstrom's frustrations got the best of him and he delivered a blatant and dangerous elbow to the head of Team Finland's Ville Petman.
Oliver Wahlstrom with a blatant elbow to the head of Petman. Super dangerous. He's been a loose cannon all tournament.
Credit the Finns who beat the U.S. 1-0 to advance. Didn't think there was a lack of urgency from the Americans and there was a lot of individual play. pic.twitter.com/aXDK9H3Id0— Steve Kournianos (@TheDraftAnalyst) January 2, 2020
The elbow would result in a five minute major penalty and game misconduct, leaving fans and spectators with a sour taste regarding the young Islanders prospect, and effectively dismantling any chance Team USA may have had to even the score.
Finland would go on to win the game, eliminating Team USA from a chance at a medal by a final score of 1-0.
The young winger, who was selected 11th overall in the 2018 draft, failed to record a single point in his 9 games with the Islanders this season.
He has spent most of the year playing with the clubs AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and given his performance in the WJC, it's likely he will continue to spend the foreseeable future there.
