Team USA came off its first win earlier in the tournament as they faced Team Norway today. In the hunt for back-to-back gold medals, Team USA was looking to strike fast and often in today’s faceoff with Norway. In the history of the U18 Championship, the U.S. and Norway have only faced off three times, with Team USA emerging victorious on all three occasions. Last year, the two teams clashed in the tournament’s preliminary round, where the U.S. secured a 12-1 win, highlighted by forward Cole Eiserman’s impressive four-goal display in that game. Today Team Norway was hoping to flip the script and try to rebound after yesterday’s loss to host Finland, dropping that matchup to Finland 7-0.
Goalkeepers:
USA – Jack Parsons
NOR – Amund Martinsen
1st Period
It was Cole Eiserman who kicked off the scoring with a remarkable goal at 6:34 in the opening frame. He was assisted by Max Plante and James Hagen. Team USA leads Norway 1-0. The Americans then capitalized on a powerplay opportunity, after Victor Engebraten Kopperstad was called for holding. Kamil Bednarik took advantage and swiftly added another goal to make it 2-0 for Team USA just 34 seconds later. Teddy Stiga was credited with the assist.
Cole Eiserman scores his second goal of the period, assisted by Max Plante and James Hagen. Team USA now leads by a comfortable margin of 3-0 (13:28).
The scoring onslaught continued for Team USA as L.J. Mooney would set up Trevor Connelly for a breakaway goal, extending the lead to 4-0 (16:28).
The first period ended with Team USA leading Team Norway by four goals to zero.
2nd Period
Mooney then showcased his speed and skill, scoring once more to make it 5-0 in favor of Team USA (22:09). Later, Team Norway would give Team USA the man advantage when Elias Vatne was called for slashing. Christian Humphries would widen the gap to 6-0 with a penalty shot goal in the second period.
After that, Team USA kept Team Norway at bay, and we remained scoreless at the end of the second frame.
3rd Period
Mikkel Eriksen scored Norway’s first goal of the tournament in the third period and was assisted on the play by Tinus Luc Koblar and Vatne. (40:39). Minutes later, we would see some penalties doled out after Mathias Karlsen was called for an illegal check to the head/neck and was given a 20-minute game misconduct (served by Dehli). Team USA would then get called later for hooking on Bednarik. A minute later Cole Eiserman is called for slashing.
At 46:22 into the game, Team USA is called for too many men on the ice (served by Bednarik). However, it would be Team USA that would strike putting with a goal tallied by Logan Hensler. Assisting on the goal were Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen and Trevor Connelly. Team USA is now ahead 7-1.
James Hagens would put up goal number eight for Team USA at 51:33 into the game. He was assisted by Brodie Ziemer and Teddy Stiga. The score now sits at 8-1 in favor of Team USA. Mathias Dehli would score a late goal for Norway with Vatne and Engebraten Kopperstad on the assist. The score would now stand at 8-2, USA.
Team USA would beat Team Norway with a final score of 8-2.
Eiserman’s stellar performance saw him selected as Team USA’s Player of the Game with two goals which has brought him closer to breaking the all-time goal-scoring record, making this NHL draft prospect one to watch as the tournament continues. On the whole, the United States displayed a very well-rounded offense with seven different players scoring goals in today’s game.
Up next for Team USA is Team Latvia with that matchup set for Sunday, April 28th.
