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USA White Defeats Sweden, 4-1, in Tuesday’s WJSS Opening Action

By USA Hockey, 07/27/21, 1:00PM EDT

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USA Blue to match up against Finland at 4pm ET

USA White 4, Sweden 1

USA White defeated Sweden today at USA Hockey Arena, 4-1, as eight different players picked up points including Thomas Bordeleau’s game-winning goal.

U.S. and Sweden exchanged changes back-and-forth through the majority of the first period, until USA White nearly capitalized on the best chance by either team. Aidan Hreschuk wound up for a slap shot that found itself sitting in front of the net, where Josh Doan fired a shot on net with three seconds remaining.

Momentum began to swing in Team USA’s favor midway through the second period, as they pushed offensively. Following a power play and lengthy offensive possession, U.S. defenseman Connor Kelley fired a shot from the blue line that slid past Swedish netminder Carl Lindbom. Landon Slaggert provided a crucial screen in front of the net. Sweden answered with its first goal of the game, but the U.S. continued to pour on the offensive pressure thanks to a five-on-three power play advantage. Shortly after the advantage expired, Mackie Samoskevich cut through the Swedish zone, leaving the puck for Bordeleau who spun around, firing the puck into the top of the net.

The U.S. added an additional goal with six minutes remaining, as Samoskevich directed the puck out of a net-front scramble to an open Sasha Pastujov on the power play. Ty Smilanic scored an empty-net goal making it 4-1.

Aidan Campbell played the first two periods in the win, stopping 10 of 11 shots. Kaidan Mbereko stopped all four shots he faced in the third period. The U.S. power play went one for five, while boasting a perfect three-for-three on the penalty kill.

HIGHLIGHTS

USA Blue 6, Finland 7 (SO)

USA Blue lost in a shootout that lasted eight rounds, and a game that featured a combined 12 goals between the two teams, including two from forward Logan Cooley and multi-point performances from Scott Morrow and Tyler Boucher.

The American penalty kill got to work early, killing off both Finland extra-man opportunities. Chase Yoder nearly put USA Blue on the board, taking a rolling puck on the breakaway but Finland netminder Rasmus Korhonen made a desperation save. The U.S. would go up 1-0 in the period with eight minutes remaining, as Boucher fought for space in the slot, just as Jack Peart delivered a perfect pass for a one-timer that rang off the outside post and in. Finland responded with a power play goal at the conclusion of the first.

Finland started the scoring early going up 3-1, with back-to-back goals in the opening 1:29 of the middle frame, including one on the power play. Defenseman Morrow put the U.S. back on the board less than 30 seconds later, collecting the puck in the neutral zone and firing a shot shortside. USA Blue’s Cooley had the game at three apiece just five minutes into the second, with a shot that trickled in past the glove of Korhonen. Finland responded with a goal of their own while on a three-on-one breakaway, putting the game at 4-3. Chaz Lucius and Cooley scored back-to-back goals for the U.S. less than a minute apart, giving the U.S. its first lead of the game since the first period, at 5-4.

Finland answered five minutes into the third period, tying the game for the fourth time tonight. USA Blue and Finland exchanged goals 1:11 apart, tying the game again for the final five minutes. Declan McDonnell scored his first of the Showcase, a power play marker for USA Blue.

Neither team could find the back of the net in the overtime period, sending the game to a best-of-three shootout. Matt Coronato and Tristan Broz found the back of the net in the shootout, but it wasn’t enough to outlast Finland.

Tucker Tynan played for the first 30:27 of the game, stopping six of ten shots. Drew Commesso appeared in net for the second half, stopped 11 of 13 shots.

Action will continue tomorrow (Wednesday) at USA Hockey Arena, as USA White will square off against Finland at 1 p.m, and USA Blue will play against Sweden at 4 p.m. ET. All games will be broadcast live on HockeyTV.com. Fans can purchase tickets here.

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