Team USA Cruises to 3-0 at the 2022 WJC with Decisive Win Over Austria

Team USA looks like a true powerhouse at this summer's World Junior Championship, having won their first two matches by a combined score of 12-2, and today beating Austria 7-0. At no point in this match was the Americans' authority tested, and the difference was apparent straight away. In all fairness to Team Austria, they are in this tournament without top prospect Marco Kasper and a couple other older players. It was noted by Dave Starman of the NHL Network's broadcast that the Austrians came into this tournament with the intention of focusing on development for the upcoming 2023 World Juniors this winter.

Team USA wasted no time, scoring just :54 seconds into the match off of a seeing-eye shot from Chicago Blackhawks prospect D Wyatt Kaiser. Austrian goaltender Leon Sommer had minimal time to rest, as the Americans would land 26 shots on goal in the first period. Shortly after Kaiser's opening tally, this summer's third-overall pick Logan Cooley found Calgary Flames prospect Matt Coronato as wide open as you can find someone:

It would get no easier for the Austrians, as the U.S. would add two more goals in the first period. The pace of play really slowed in the second period due to the long change. USA head coach Nate Leaman hardly played his top unit and only really deployed them on the powerplay. No sense in risking injury in a game practically in the bag.

Sasha Pastujov, a prospect of the Anaheim Ducks, would bury the game's final tally with a wicked wrist-shot from in tight:

Outmanned and outgunned, Team Austria held on as best they could but never cracked the U.S. defense. Blackhawks prospects Wyatt Kaiser and Carter Mazur would both end the game with two goals. The final shot-count was 56-11 in favor of Team USA.

Players of the Game:

USA - Wyatt Kaiser (CHI)

Austria - Leon Sommer

Team USA has had a light schedule so far, outscoring Germany, Switzerland and Austria 19-2. With their claws sharpened and battle-ready, they prepare for their first test of the tournament against Team Sweden tomorrow night. Austria's tournament is just about over, save their match against Switzerland on Monday.

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