Page 19 - ARUBA TODAY

SPORTS A19
Thursday 28 December 2017

U.S. dominates Denmark to open world junior championship

USA’s Casey Mittelstadt celebrates his goal with Riley Tufte, right, against Denmark during the for Russia. Marsel Sholok- puck was on its side,” Foote
hov and Alexei Polodyan said. “But looking back at
first period of IIHF World Junior Championship preliminary round hockey action in Buffalo, N.Y., scored in the first period. the replay, it was close but I
Also Tuesday, Boris Ka- was pretty sure I got it.”
Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017. tchouk had a goal and an It was the second video
assist as Canada beat Fin- review that went Cana-
Associated Press land 4-2. da’s way in the game.
Katchouk’s linemate Taylor Katchouk’s opening score
Raddysh scored and add- was also upheld after Finn-
ed an assist for Canada, ish head coach Jussi Aho-
while Drake Batherson had kas challenged it for goalie
the eventual winner and interference.
Sam Steel scored a goal. Aleksi Heponiemi and
Carter Hart made 29 saves Henri Jokiharju replied for
for the win. Finland, while Ukko-Pekka
Canadian defenseman Cal Luukkonen stopped 28 of
Foote made a heads-up 32 shots.
play late in the third period In another preliminary-
when he dove behind his round game, Lias Anders-
goalie, swatting the puck son scored twice for Swe-
away just as it touched the den in a 6-1 win over Belar-
goal line, bouncing it off us. Elias Pettersson and Erik
the post and out. Brannstrom each added a
A video review at the next goal and an assist. Glenn
stoppage of play upheld Gustafsson and Jens Bo-
the no-goal call on the ice. qvist scored Sweden’s oth-
“I wasn’t sure I had it. The er two goals.q

By JONAH BRONSTEIN does some special stuff

Associated Press with the puck and he’s a

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — really special player.”

Casey Mittelstadt got the U.S. coach Bob Motzko

United States off to a quick remained undefeated in

start in its title defense at the world junior champion-

the world junior hockey ships.

championship. After winning last year’s

Mittelstadt scored twice in tournament in Montreal,

the first period, Kieffer Bel- the U.S. is seeking back-to-

lows also had two goals back gold medals for the

and Joseph Woll made 17 first time. Denmark placed

saves to earn the shutout fifth last year, its highest fin-

as the U.S. opened the ish in history.

tournament with a 9-0 vic- The opening game was

tory over Denmark on Tues- the most competitive of

day night. the day. Filip Zadina and

In other preliminary-round Filip Chytil scored second-

games, the Czech Repub- period goals for the Czech

lic upset Russia 5-4, Sweden Republic in a stunning 5-4

beat Belarus 6-1 and Can- victory over Russia.

ada held on for a 4-2 win Russia has medaled at the

over Finland. past seven world juniors

Max Jones, Kailer Yama- while the Czech Republic

moto, Patrick Harper, An- has not reached the med-

drew Peeke and Dylan al round since 2005. This

Samberg also scored for was the Czech Republic’s

the U.S., which had three second victory in its past 12

goals in the first nine min- meetings with Russia.

utes. Martin Necas, Filip Kral and

“We came out ready to Ostap Safin also scored for

go,” said Mittelstadt, the the Czech Republic, and

most recent first-round Martin Kaut had three as-

draft choice for the Buffa- sists. Josef Korenar made

lo Sabres. “We wanted to 34 saves.

come out and score some Zadina and Chytil scored

goals and get our team to give the Czech Repub-

going right away.” lic a 4-2 lead late in the

Mittelstadt’s second goal second period. Filip Kraul

gave the U.S. a 5-0 lead scored the Czech Repub-

late in the first period. lic’s fifth goal 6:16 into the

“Every time Casey steps on third period.

the ice, we know every- Artur Kayumov and

one is going to be watch- Vladislav Syomin scored

ing him,” Bellows said. “He late in the third period