Three third period goals, saw Team USA earn a 3-2 come from behind win over Russia last night in Kamloops.
The Russians scored a goal in each of the first two periods, but it was projected first overall draft pick Jack Hughes who had the final say.
He scored the winner with 28.3 seconds left to play, which made up for his turnover that led to the Russian’s second goal.
“It was [about] just staying in the game,” he said. “I made a mistake there, but I just had to bounce back and leave it in the rear view mirror and kind of move forward.”
“I’m just happy to get the game winner and get the win.”
Red Deer Rebels defenceman Alexander Alexeyev opened the scoring for the Russians, who didn’t have the best opening period.
“A very bad start, and second period we played very good, offensively and defensively,” the Washington Capitals prospect said. “But the third period, we got a little distracted at some point and played pretty bad in our zone, and they scored.”
USA Head Coach Mike Hastings was pleased to see his team not give up.
“I liked how we stayed with it, especially in the third,” he said. “I thought we were more responsible with the puck.”
“We stayed around their net a little bit more and had some guys make some plays.”
The Russians drop to 0-2 in pre-tournament action, while the Americans went 1-0.
Oliver Wahlstrom led the way for the Americans with a goal and an assist, while Joel Farabee had two assists.
After the game, both teams played a five-minute sudden death overtime period, that saw no goals.
There was also a nine-round shootout, which the Russians took 4-3 – Artem Galimov scored three shootout goals for the Russians.
The Americans begin the World Juniors in Victoria against Slovakia on December 26. The Russians get going on December 27 against Denmark in Vancouver.
Canada, as defending champions, opens their tournament in Vancouver against Denmark on Boxing Day.
A little goodye to the fans in #Kamloops
Pretty good game, for an exhibition I’d say.
And thanks for following along/putting up with my tweeting. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/jz4r9bUR3Q
— Victor Mario Kaisar (@supermario_47) December 21, 2018
Jack Hughes put @usahockey in front with 28.3 seconds on the clock.
— Victor Mario Kaisar (@supermario_47) December 21, 2018
And the Americans have joined them on the ice.
No Quinn Hughes tonight, as GM John Vanbiesbrouck told @RadioNLNews this morning.
His brother, Jack, will play. #Kamloops #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/XNQouPOnMI
— Victor Mario Kaisar (@supermario_47) December 21, 2018
30-ish minutes to puckdrop. The Russian team is on the ice.#Kamloops #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/eEn7lXHw8J
— Victor Mario Kaisar (@supermario_47) December 21, 2018
