US junior icers top Russia again
By LOU REUTER, Enterprise Senior Sports WriterArticle Photos
LAKE PLACID - The United States Junior National Hockey Team notched its second big win in as many nights with a 6-1 triumph over Russia Wednesday at the Olympic Center's USA Rink.
After skating to an easy 8-1 win over Russia Tuesday, the Americans had a bit tougher time in the second matchup, despite scoring the first three goals of the game.
"This wasn't a 6-1 game," said U.S. head coach Dean Blais. "Russia played hard and they were disciplined tonight. The difference in this game was we got four power-play goals and didn't give up anything."
Cam Fowler tallied twice to lead the U.S., and teammates Danny Kristo, Jordan Schroeder, Kyle Palmieri and Ryan Bourque each netted single goals. Bourque and Kristo also added two assists each to finish with three-points in the game.
Kristo put the Americans on top with the lone goal of the opening period, and Schroeder and Fowler then buried pucks in a span of 1:34 in the middle of the second stanza to put the U.S. on top 3-0. Russia answered back, cutting its deficit to a pair of goals when Sergey Ostapchuck found the back of the net at the 11:47 mark of the second.
The Americans then had to come up big when they found themselves killing off a pair of shorthanded situations with two players in the penalty box on both ocasions.
"That was the turning point of the game," Blais said. "Russia had two 5-on-3s when it was 3-1 and they didn't score. Our defense blocked six shots and our goalie made some big stops."
Blais said his defense played strong from start to finish, and Jack Campbell also sparkled in nets for the Americans.
"We had a lot of blocked shots tonight and we had good goaltending," Blais said. "Campbell stood out. He was rock solid from the start. He had to be good from the start."
After taking a 3-1 edge into the second intermission, the U.S. pulled away with a trio of third-period goals, including two quick tallies early in the stanza. Fowler netted his second of the game at the 3:21 mark for a 4-1 U.S. lead, and Palmieri followed with a goal at the 4:26 mark. Bourque rounded out the scoring 1:14 before the final buzzer.
Twenty-seven penalties were doled out during the game, with 15 going to the United States.
"We were more disciplined last night. Russia was more disciplined tonight," Blais said. "That can happen after you win 8-1."
The United States Junior Team is holding an evaluation camp in Lake Placid this week as it prepares for this winter's World Championship Tournament being held in Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan. During the camp, the Americans and Russians are squaring off three times. The final meeting between the two teams will be Friday at the Olympic Center's 1980 Rink, with the opening faceoff scheduled for 6 p.m.
"We've got 15 pretty good hockey players coming out of here," Blais said. "We aren't as deep as Canada, but we expect to right in there."
