Team USA fell to Canada in their opening round of the IIHF World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic. With the loss, Team USA now sits in fourth place in Group B.
First Period
In the first, Shane Pinto, a second-round pick by the Ottawa Senators, scored on an assist from Zac Jones and Bobby Brinkthree minutes into the game. Jones was a third-round pick by the New York Rangers and Brink was a second-round pick by the Flyers in the 2019 NHL Draft. In the closing minutes of the first period, Arthur Kaliyev, a second-round pick by the Los Angeles Kings, scored on an assist from Trevor Zegras and Alex Turcotte at the 18-minute mark. Zegras was the ninth overall pick by the Anaheim Ducks while Turcotte was the fifth overall pick by the LA Kings in 2019.
Team USA held a 2-0 lead heading into the second period.
Second Period
In the second, it wasn’t pretty for Team USA. They went silent after scoring two in the first. They allowed three goals to Canada. While they didn’t light up the scoring column, they did, however, rack up three minor penalties. Team USA trailed 3-2 heading into the third period.
Third Period
The third period was off to a quiet start until Team USA’s Spencer Stastney received a two-minute minor which Canada capitalized on. Now down by two goals, Team USA turned up the pressure which led to Nicholas Robertson, the Toronto Maple Leafs second-round pick, scoring on an assist from Oliver Wahlstrom and Shane Pinto. Wahlstrom was the eleventh overall pick in the 2018 draft by the New York Islanders.
Just four minutes later, Shane Pinto scored the game-tying goal off of an assist from Nicholas Robertson. With everything tied at four, Team USA was caught off guard as they surrendered a goal just seven seconds later.
Two minutes later, the nail in the coffin was put in by Canada’s Ty Dellandrea on an empty net. Dellandrea was the Dallas Stars’ 13th overall pick in 2018,
Looking Ahead
Shots for this game were even at 32 apiece, while Canada’s Nico Daws made 28 saves to Spencer Knight’s 26 saves for Team USA. Knight was the 13th overall pick by the Florida Panthers in the 2019 draft.
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