Buffalo Sabres: J.J. Peterka sets historic record at IIHF Worlds

Buffalo Sabres forward J.J. Peterka was arguably the best player at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, setting a historic record for Team Germany. 

Although Team Germany couldn’t beat Team Canada to capture the gold medal at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, Buffalo Sabres winger J.J. Peterka enjoyed more than just a productive tournament. In fact, you can even argue that he put forth an elite performance, scoring 12 points, six goals, and six assists at the event.

As the above tweet shows, Peterka not only scored the highest number of points from any player on Team Germany in any single tournament, he broke a points record that stood for over 90 years. How impressive is that?

Peterka broke the record in today’s game when he scored his 12th point just under eight minutes into the event. He took a pass, skated up ice and toward the left circle, before drilling it past goaltender Sam Montembeault to take a 1-0 lead.

Buffalo Sabres winger sets historic record at 2023 IIHF Worlds

Unfortunately for Peterka, his opening goal didn’t give Team Germany a long-lasting lead, as Sabres teammate Peyton Krebs provided an assist along with Jake Neighbours on a goal from Samuel Blais to tie the game at one. After Germany retook the lead thanks to a goal from Daniel Fischbuch, Krebs added another helper along with MacKenzie Weegar for a Lawson Crouse goal.

It all went downhill for Germany in the third as Blais put another one through early, with Tyler Toffoli following up seven minutes later to give Team Canada a 4-2 lead. Finally, Scott Laughton scored at the 58:06 mark to ice the game, with Jack Quinn offering a helper along with Crouse.

Despite the loss, Peterka still led Germany to a silver medal, something few thought would happen in this event. And he also walks away as the points leader for Team Germany in what was a historic performance at the Worlds.

(Game information provided by IIHF.com)