Friday afternoon’s outdoor game between the United States and Canada in the 2018 World Juniors was set to be a big deal and folks, it delivered. While Canada took a two-goal lead into the third period, the United States stormed back to force overtime and then emerge victorious in the shootout 4-3.
Here’s how Team USA bested Canada once again in a World Junior shootout
The United States knows how to beat Canada in the shootout.
Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images
In the shootout, which determined the winner of last year’s final where the Americans took home gold, the United States came out on top again as goaltender Jake Oettinger blanked the Canadians through four rounds.
Kieffer Bellows had the first shootout goal for the United States, as he slid the puck five-hole through the pads of Canada netminder Carter Hart.
Brady Tkachuk was the only other goalscorer for either side in the shootout, as he out-deked Hart and celebrated with a smooth finish.
Oettinger stopped all four attempts by Team Canada in the shootout, and this final miss by Drake Batherson sealed the win for the Americans.
And, of course, here are some happy USA hockey players to cap off the excitement!
What a night for Team USA, and what a much needed win too. On Thursday, the Americans lost a shocker of a game to Slovakia, but received a much-needed morale boost with this shootout victory.
Team USA resumes play in the World Juniors on Sunday against Finland.
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