USA Wins World Juniors Opener Against Russia
December 27, 2004 | Men's Hockey
Former Badger Ryan Suter had two assists, while current Badger Jeff Likens chipped in one and the U.S. never trailed as the national junior team defeated Russia 5-4 in the opening game of IIHF World Junior Championship, Saturday.
Team USA got off to a quick start at Ralph Engelstad Arena, scoring two times in the first six minutes of an opening period that would see six goals tallied. Player of the Game Drew Stafford opened the scoring, delighting a hometown crowd of over 9,000 with a one-timer over the glove of Russian goalie Anton Khudobin. Chris Bourque increased the U.S. lead to two, knocking in his own rebound just 1:20 later. The Russian team got on the board at 7:25 when Yakov Rylov went one-on-one with Al Montoya.
The Russians would score twice more in the session, while Team USA got a tally from Fritsche, and the teams would trade scores, going to the locker rooms tied at three.
Early in the final session, Robbie Schremp gave the U.S. a one goal lead, scoring on the power play. Russia's Dmitri Pestunov made it 4-4 before Fritsche scored shorthanded to put the U.S. up for good.
Earlier in the day, Team Canada defeated Slovakia, 7-3 at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D. while the Czech Republic earned a 7-2 decision against Belarus and Finland beat Germany 4-1 at the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Thief River Falls, Minn.
Team USA returns to action against Switzerland tonight, Monday, Dec. 27, at 7:35 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
