Powerplays were the name of the game as Team Canada took on Team USA in each sqauds' first game of the World Junior Hockey Championship Thursday. The teams combined for six powerplay goals as Canada would go on to beat the US 6-4 in a hard-fought offensive battle.
Alexis Lafreniere would show why he's projected to go first overall in the upcoming NHL entry draft as he would score one goal, the game-winner, and add three assists in Canada's win. Shane Pinto would score two goals for the United States. Both would be named their teams' respective Player of the Game. It was Canada's first win against the US at the World Junior Championship since New Year's Day of 2015.
The US would get off to a quick start, bringing a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. Canada would score three in the 2nd period to take the lead into the 2nd intermission, and added another in the third for a 4-2 lead. The US would score two straight to tie the game up with just over three minutes left in the final frame. However, Canada scored just seven seconds after the game-tying goal, and added an empty netter for a final score of 6-4.
Canada's next game in against Russia on Saturday, while the US takes on Germany Friday.
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