U.S. Junior Select Team Opens 2024 World Junior A Challenge with 8-0 Victory Over Canada East

CAMROSE, Alberta – Multiple-point performances from Lucas Van Vliet (Livonia, Mich.), Teddy Mutryn (Norwell, Mass.), Jack Hextall (Rolling Meadows, Ill.), Austin Baker (White Lake Township, Mich.) and Mason Moe (Eden Prairie, Minn.) helped the U.S. Junior Select Team secure an 8-0 victory over Canada East in the ts opening preliminary round game of the 2024 World Junior A Challenge at Encana Arena tonight.

“It’s great for our team to start the tournament with a win,” said Matty Smaby (Minneapolis, Minn.), head coach of the U.S. Junior Select Team. “We still have plenty to improve upon as we continue growing our team game, but tonight was a nice start. We have a great challenge ahead of us tomorrow and I can’t wait to watch our team go out and compete against Sweden.”

Luke Osburn (Plymouth, Mich.) put Team USA ahead just 2:02 into the opening period, as he wristed a shot over the glove hand of Canadian netminder Noah Tegelaar. Osburn’s tally was assisted by John McNelis (Potomac, Md.) and Ryan Rucinski (Broadview Heights, Ohio).

The U.S. earned its first power play of the contest near the halfway point of the opening frame. Jack Pechar (Niskayuna, N.Y.) increased the U.S. lead to 2-0 on Team USA’s first power-play opportunity of the contest as he tucked the puck past Tegelaar on a backdoor pass from Moe at 10:49. Pechar’s goal was also assisted by Ryker Lee (Wilmette, Ill.) also gained an assist on the play.

GAME PHOTOS

Hextall tapped one home to give Team USA a 3-0 advantage at 3:22 of the middle frame after a centering pass from Baker set up Mutryn in the slot, who fired a shot that hit the post.

Moe scored at 6:54 into the second period, as he capitalized on a U.S. three-on-two rush with Baker and Hextall earning assists.

Team USA picked up its second power-play goal of the game with 11:51 remaining in the second, when Ben Kevan (Fairfield, Calif.) lifted the puck past Tegelaar’s glove just in front of the net to increase the U.S. advantage to 5-0. Van Vliet and Osburn assisted the fifth U.S. goal.

Jacob Rombach (Blaine, Minn.) added to Team USA’s lead just 2:27 into the third period, knocking in a rebound opportunity. following a shot from Rucinski in the slot. Rucinski and Kevan were credited with assists on the tally as the U.S. lead increased to 6-0.

A blocked shot by Drake Murray (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) sent Team USA on an odd-man rush where Finn McLaughlin (Arlington Heights, Ill.) finished at 11:34 to give the U.S. a 7-0 lead.

Van Vliet accounted for the 8-0 final at 19:12, from out in front.

Caleb Heil (Victoria, Minn.) registered an 18-save shutout to open the tournament.

The U.S. Junior Select Team continues preliminary action at the 2024 World Junior A Challenge on Tuesday against Sweden. Puck drop is set at Encana Arena for 3 p.m. MT/5 p.m. ET and a live stream will be available HERE. For more information on the World Junior A Challenge, click HERE.

NOTES: Team USA outshot Canada, 42-18 … The U.S. went two-for-six on the power play, while Canada went zero-for-four … Teddy Mutryn was named Team USA’s player of the game … Eight different players scored goal in the Team USA victory.

2024 Junior Select Team Roster 2024 World Junior A Challenge World Junior A Challenge History

Source: usahockey.com

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