Today, the International Ice Hockey Federation kicked off the 2024 IIHF ICE HOCKEY U18 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP tournament. The tournament will be played in Espoo and Vantaa, Finland, from April 25, 2024, through May 5, 2024. The 10 teams are divided into two five-team groups in the Preliminary Round.
Today’s game featured Team USA against Team Slovakia in game 1 of the tournament in the Preliminary Round for Group A, which includes the teams from Finland, Latvia, and Norway. Group B will feature teams from Czechia, Switzerland, Sweden, Canada, and Kazakhstan.
Team USA achieved an undefeated streak in the IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship in 2023, securing the gold medal. Team USA’s roster for this year’s tournament features a few promising NHL draft prospects, such as Cole Eiserman, Trevor Connelly, and Cole Hutson. The team is led by Head Coach Nick Fohr and Assistant Head Coach Matt Gilroy. Fohr is taking on the role of head coach for the first time with the U.S. National Under-18 Team. Previously, he was a member of the coaching staff in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022. Fohr played a key role in guiding the team to two gold medals in 2015 and 2017. He was also part of the coaching staff that led Team USA to two silver medals in 2013 and in 2022.
GOALTENDERS:
TEAM USA – Nicholas Kempf
TEAM SLOVAKIA – Alan Lendak
Period 1
Team USA had a powerful start today against Slovakia. Last year, the US achieved a 7-1 victory over Slovakia in the quarterfinals. Cole Hutson initiated the offensive early by launching a precise shot from the left faceoff dot, scoring against Slovakia just 2:34 into the first period.
Midway through the period, Slovakia was snagged for a two-minute minor penalty after Jan Chovan propelled the puck over the glass, causing a delay in the game. Team USA would capitalize on the powerplay quickly. At just 31 seconds into the PP, Team USA had executed a play that culminated in a goal by Eiserman, with an assist from Brodie Ziemer and James Hagens. Team USA now leads Slovakia 2-0.
With 45 seconds left in the opening frame, Hagens seized the puck at the American blueline and got the breakaway chance, netting his first goal of the tournament. Team USA Is now up 3-0 after 20 minutes of regulation.
Period 2
Team USA maintained their momentum against Team Slovakia as Hagens outsmarted the Slovakian defense, setting up the scoring chance for Teddy Stiga near the front of the net. In less than a minute into the period, Team USA would now be leading Slovakia, 4-0. Ziemer and Hagens were each credited with the assist. Slovakia would be called for tripping, sending Team USA on the Power Play. Slovakia would successfully kill that penalty, and Team USA netted no goal.
While Slovakia had its opportunities, Team USA continued to maintain possession in the Slovak zone for the majority of the 2nd period. John Whipple successfully scored with a shot from the left circle with Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen and Karmil Bednarik helping to set up the play. Team USA places another goal on the board, now leading 5-0.
Hagens would extend the lead for Team USA moments later, putting up a goal after just two and a half minutes of play, with Ziemer and Stiga securing the assist.
Team USA lead Team Slovakia after two with a score of 6-0.
Period 3
Team USA would extend their lead to 7-0 with an outstanding play involving Hutson, Trevor Connelly, and Christian Humphreys, who skillfully placed the puck into the net.
Team Slovakia would send the Power Play unit of Team USA back on the attack after Nicolas Vrtiel was sent to the penalty box for high sticking. Team Slovakia would again successfully keep Team USA out of the net as they went back to full strength.
However, Team USA remained a force to be reckoned with. With nine and a half minutes left, Eiserman netted his second goal of the night, bringing Team USA to 8-0. Then, with just over a minute and a half left in the period, Eiserman completed the hat trick, putting up yet another tally for Team USA.
Team USA would defeat Team Slovakia in regulation with a final score of 9-0. James Hagens was selected as Team USA’s Player of the Game, having earned two goals and two assists in today’s matchup. Team USA will face Team Norway on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
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