USA Hockey Defeats Finland 2-1 In Opening World Junior Game
It was the definition of a goalie duel between the United States and Finland in the opening game for both teams in the World Junior Championships. Thatcher Demko and Ville Husso showed why the got the starting nods as they held the last two gold medal winners to one goal each before the game headed into overtime. Jack Eichel created a gorgeous goal to level the game at one (seriously, if you get a chance, find a GIF or something of that goal because it was a beauty), after Finland took the lead just a minute and a half into the game off a lucky deflection from behind the net by Mikko Rantanen. The United States had their opportunities to end it, but Finland showed today they will continue to spit out goalies like redneck’s spit out chew without worry. Ville Husso shut down every good chance the United States could muster in regulation and overtime with 36 saves. Thatcher Demko overcame the unlucky bounce early, and put in a strong performance himself with 28 saves. I also have to mention there were 11 penalties called, so those saves mostly came in man down situations. Finland had a gorgeous chance to win the hockey game in the last seconds over overtime, until Will Butcher put himself in the World Junior equivalency of Abraham Lincoln or George Washington Carver (not really), and blocked a shot in front of an empty net to send the game into the shootout. In the shootout, Jack Eichel and Chase De Leo added goals, while Thatcher Demko held his ground and the United States defeated the reigning gold medal winners 2-1 in the shootout. USA hockey will play Germany next on Sunday at 8 PM EST.
San Jose Sharks Around The WJC
2014 1st round draft pick Nikolay Goldobin scored Russia’s first goal in a 3-2 comeback shootout victory over Denmark.
2013 4th round draft pick Fredrik Bergvik and 2014 2nd round draft pick Julius Bergman suit up for Sweden as they take on the Czech Republic. Bergvik did not start for Sweden.
2013 1st round draft pick Mirco Mueller and 2014 2nd round draft pick Noah Rod suit up for Switzerland tomorrow as the Swiss take on the Czech Republic