By Warren Kozireski — Orchard Park, NY —
In what at times seemed to be inside a snow-globe, Team USA overcame a two-goal deficit for the third time in their last two games against Team Canada to win 4-3 in a shootout in front of 44,592 frigid fans in a World Junior tournament game New Era Field in Buffalo.
Buffalo Sabres 2017 first rund selection Casey Middlestadt is clearly making an early case for All-Tournament Team consideration with three assists in the game and now six points over the first three games to lead all scorers.
Kiefer Bellows scored his third goal of the tournament late in the second period, but Canada retook a 3-1 lead on the next shift.
“Couldn’t have been more perfect,” Bellows said about the conditions. “The snow was falling right at gametime and stopped for the shootout, but that was something to remember.”
2018 NHL draft eligible Scott Perunovich and Brady Tkachuk each scored 34 seconds apart in the third to send the game into overtime and the shootout.
Bellows and Tkachuk scored in the shootout while Team USA goaltender Jake Oettinger stopped all four Team Canada attempts to secure the win.
Team USA plays Finland in the final preliminary game Sunday at 4pm. Medal round games begin Tuesday.
(USA Hockey Photo)
