NHL first-rounder gives USA the win

Every goal counts!

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Published 6 years ago
NHL first-rounder gives USA the win
Keystone Press Agency

Drafted 22nd overall by the Edmonton Oilers during the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, Kailer Yamamoto allowed USA White to secure a 4-3 win over Sweden today at the World Juniors Summer Showcase

The stars-and-stripes started the game with great momentum, which allowed them to secure a 2-0 lead before the end of the first period

Once both teams returned to the ice, there was a noticeable change of pace amongst the Swedish players. A beautiful one-timer pass to Linus Lidstrom would allow the Swedes to inch closer to the Americans, which at this point in the game seemed heavily reliant on young goaltender Dylan St-Cyr - who also happens to be the son of Manon Rheaume, the first female to ever tend nets in an NHL game.

Despite the team's difficulties, Connecticut-native Jack Badini's efforts in front of the would prove to be fruitful as an open rebound allows him to increase USA White's lead to 3-1. This would be temporary, as center Frederik Karlstrom, first pick of the Dallas Stars during the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, would lob a beautiful pass from the right wing to a wide-open Jesper Boqvist, who would beat St-Cyr to make the score 3-2.

The game winning goal came thirty-two seconds into the third period, when Yamamoto's shot deflected off a Swedish defenseman's skate before finishing in the net. More than halfway through the last tier, the Swedes would tally an additional goal, but their efforts would prove to be insufficient and they would go on to lose the match 4-3.  

You can find further details on the USA Hockey website. In the mean-time, the organization submitted a recap video which you can find below:


Source: USA Hockey