(DubNetwork was out at the World Junior Summer Showcase today and will bring you full coverage of the goings on). Tonight USA Blue – which is a split squad team – fell to Sweden 3-1 and the USA’s other squad – USA White took down Finland 5-2.
USA Blue vs Sweden
In the first game of the evening, Team USA – Blue was taking on Team Sweden. USA finished the first period up 1-0 on a goal by the Lincoln Stars (USHL) Paul Cotter. While it was more intense than summer shiny, it wasn’t much more than that. Both teams needed to wear off the rust. Spokane’s Jake McGrew being the lone WHL competitor in this one, made some nice forays into the offensive zone and found himself on a PP line with Tkachuk and Chmelevski.
In the second, Sweden controlled much of the play and got rewarded for their efforts tying the game three minutes into the frame from a squeaker by Washington Capitals 5th round pick, Sebastian Walfridsson.
In the third and final frame the intensity ramped up with after whistle scrums and heavier hits. The intensity wasn’t the only thing that ramped up though, the ice was also tilted towards the Sweden goal. Olle Eriksson Ek faced 12 shots in the third for a total of 27 shots in the game. Sweden jumped on a late third period power play to take the lead 2-1 and ended up winning the game 3-1 over the Americans. McGrew finished the game with no points but looked like he belonged. Team Blue’s next game is Tuesday July 30th vs Canada – White. Sweden also plays Tuesday, taking on rival Finland.
Special Teams
USA Blue – 0 / 2 PP
Sweden – 0 / 5 PP
Shots
USA Blue – 8-6-12-27
Sweden 8-15-13-35
USA – White vs Finland
In the second game of the night Team USA – White started the scoring off early scoring twice in the first 10 minutes with goals by Saginaw’s (OHL) Cole Coskey and Providence College’s Ben Mirageas. The teams traded power play’s a few times and Finland was able to cash in to cut the lead to one. U. of Minnestoa Deluth’s Mikey Anderson scored with 21 seconds left to restore the 2 goal advantage at 3-1
The second period was void of much action at all, the Americans had a minute long five-on-three power play in which they failed to score. Jack Hughes (US National U18 Team) and Kaapo Kakko (TPS Turko) were the standouts in the period, and it wasn’t just because they wear cages (IIHF underage rule).
The third frame started out with much of the same. Finland put up more of a fight in this 20, aided by the Americans lack of discipline early on. Finland kept up the pressure but was unable to put much rubber on net. USA increased their lead with under 5 mintues left in the third with (U. of North Dakota’s) Grant Mismash’s 1st of the tournament. Finland was able to pot a consolation goal with 1:30 left in the period and USA finished the night off with an empty netter to end the game at 5-2.
Special Teams
USA – White 0 / 5 PP
Finland – 1 / 8 PP
Shots
USA White 15-17-8-40
Finland 8-4-5-17
Stay up-to-date by following DUBNetwork.ca (@dub_network) all week with daily coverage of the 2018 World Junior Summer Showcase.
