United States and Russia Qualify for the World Junior’s Quarterfinals

The United States Regains its Confidence

Before Tuesday’s game, the United States team was on a rollercoaster. The team owns some top prospects that most teams would want to boost their NHL odds. In-Game 1 of the World Juniors Championships, the Americans showcased a struggling team in a 5-3 loss to Russia. Everything changed just one day later with a dominating 73-shot, the 11-goal rout of Austria. 

In their latest victory, the Americans appeared to ride the hot hand with a blowout 7-0 win over the Czech Republic. Leading the way was Trevor Zegras with two goals and three assists (5 points), while Player of the Game Bobby Brink added two goals of his own. USA captain Cam York was the team’s playmaker of the match with three assists. Cole Caufield and Arthur Kaliyev each added a goal. Both players have the potential to help a future franchise surge through the NHL betting rankings but have not played consistently for the American team. 

Goaltender Spencer Knight had a solid game after struggling in the team’s loss to Russia, where he allowed four goals on 12 shots. This time around, Knight finished with a 22-save shutout. That included a tough save against Michael Teply right in front of the goal. The win should be a boost of confidence given that the Czech team defeated Russia 2-0 earlier in the tournament. After a match against Sweden, the United States will resume quarterfinal play in 2021. 

Russia Dominates Austria

Austria was able to get on the scoreboard, but it was too little too late. Austria entered the game with zero goals through three games. Originally, the team led Russia 3-1 in shots through the first four minutes. Everything changed as the game progressed as Russia captured the 7-1 win. 

Rodion Amirov scored a penalty shot at 4:04. Yegor Chinakhov was supposed to take the shot but had to leave the game after sustaining an injury. Vasili Podkolzin added two more goals, while Marat Khusnutdinov scored to give the Russians a 4-1 lead after the first period. The lone goal of the second period came from Austria’s Senna Peeters. 

Despite strong play from the final minutes of the frame, Russia clinched the win in the third period. Yegor Afanasieve, Arseni Gritsyuk, and Artemi Knyazev added goals to help send Russia to the quarterfinals. Austria remains alive in the playoff race but will need to take down the Czech Republic. The playoffs will begin on January 3, 2021, after all, pools conclude their final games. 

Both the United States and Russia should be considered contenders in the Elite-8. Their opponents will be announced later on as seeding is still up in the air. Games from the final matches will dictate their opponents. 

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