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2023 World Juniors: Breaking Down USA’s quarterfinal win over Germany

bynewsdesk
January 4, 2023

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MONCTON, New Brunswick Team USA got off to a hot start and never looked back as they rolled past Germany for an 11-1 victory in a quarterfinal match they earned by winning Group B in the opening round. They next face Canada in the quarterfinals in Halifax on Wednesday.

Team USA earned its largest margin of victory in the quarterfinals in World Junior history with a plus-10 margin against Germany. The previous high was seven, achieved twice in the last decade.

The USA got off to a hot start with three unanswered shots over the first 8:39 of the game, starting with Logan Cooley’s (ARI) goal just 3:51 into the game. They kept it rolling with a five-goal second period before tacking on three more in the third. The U.S. gave starter Trey Augustine (2023) a breather in the third period, and Andrew Oke made his tournament debut, stopping seven of eight shots on goal.

Here are some brief observations from the quarter-final win and some highlights of the standout players.

Another Hot Start

For the second game in a row, the USA started on time and started flying. They jumped into Germany early and didn’t let up. They scored three goals in the first half of the period and looked set to add a fourth from Charlie Stramel (2023), but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The US allowed just two shots on goal in the opening period and completely owned the puck.

Every line contributed and it seemed like every time the USA had the puck they were a threat to score. Quick starts can be critical in these late games. The less they have to chase, the better. That’s two straight games where they jumped out at the start.

Finds his feet after settling down

This USA team still hasn’t played a full 60 minutes of hockey and that was even true in this game. After the disallowed goal, the USA didn’t quite have their A-game late in the first period. They had just three shots the rest of the way after having nine shots to that point.

They became a little loose and a little loose. This lasted even into the second episode, but after the first media timeout, they seemed to wake up again. Team USA exploded for three goals in just 1:16 to make it 6-0 and leave no doubt.

They eventually put the game away and didn’t let themselves get caught up in the loss of momentum for too long. They can’t do that against the better teams, but you also have to prove that you can get it back when you lose that moment.

Ryan Ufko Brush with history

With our assists on each of the USA’s first three goals, I thought we might be in the running for Ryan Ufko’s (NSH) record. When he had his fourth assist in the second period, it got a little more serious. The point record for a defenseman’s game in 1987 is seven.

Ufko picked up one more assist to finish with five and was named the USA Player of the Game.

Coach Rand Pecknold said she has been one of the players that has really bounced around in the tournament and has taken her game to an even higher level.

Getting offensive contributions from the defense was always part of this team’s plan. They have mobile puck-moving defensemen who can make a lot of plays, and Ufko has become one of the most popular players on this team.

He has top-notch hockey sense and excellent vision. His assist on Red Savage’s goal to make it 3-0 was a hauntingly beautiful one that had everyone biting his shot before he found a better option.

Ufko stated after the game that the USA wants to get the puck a lot and that is part of the defenders’ job in this team. They need to move the puck efficiently for this team to be successful. Aside from the USA’s number one defenseman Luke Hughes (NJD), few do it as skillfully as Ufko.

Discipline

In a game that could have gotten out of hand, the US kept their composure and didn’t take any unnecessary penalties during the game either. They ended the game with two penalties against and killed both.

The US PK has been solid, but you don’t want to find yourself getting killed by tons of penalties. Discipline hasn’t been too much of an issue this tournament yet, though it hurt Team USA in its only loss. They have been the least penalized team in the World Junior so far with only 14 minor penalties during the first serve games. It’s a good sign heading into a tough semi-final.

USA Player Notes

Ryan Ufko (NSH): Ufko did a tremendous job getting the pucks on the ice and getting the pucks into the net. It’s something he’s done for a very large part of the tournament, but he was on fire this tournament. Every time you looked up, he had another helping. Ufko’s confidence continues to grow in this tournament and he continues to reap rewards with meaningful minutes. He has become a true top four defender for this team.

Logan Cooley (ARI): With three goals and an assist, it was another dominant performance for Cooley, who now leads the U.S. with 11 points through five games. Cooley opened the scoring with a fine finish, hanging around a defender and quickly firing past the keeper. Cooley has played fast, he has made smart plays, and he has mastered the offensive elements of the game.

Cutter Gauthier (PHI): While Gauthier has not scored a goal so far in the tournament, he scored twice against Germany. He said after the game that he felt like he got the monkey off his back and hopes it’s a sign of things to come. Gauthier has played very well throughout the tournament, but he is a scorer and certainly felt the pressure to score. It’s gone now and maybe this will open the cartridge for him.

Red Savage (IT): With a pair of goals, including a shorthanded marker, Savage left his mark on the game in a variety of ways. His speed and tenacity off the puck are so disruptive to the opposition. But he has also finished very well. Savage has scored three goals and provided two assists in the tournament so far. His work on PK has been impressive and he gives the US a center to fight anyone.

Jimmy Snuggerud (STL): With another multi-point game winning three, Snuggerud continued his impressive performance at this World Juniors. Snuggerud has made the USA’s second power play unit more lethal with his presence. That gives the US two menacing units that are hard to counter. Meanwhile, Snuggerud continues to positively impact every game in all three areas.

Dylan Duke (TBL): The tournament has been pretty quiet for Duke, who has had a very good season at Michigan. He managed to get two points in the match against Germany and made an overall positive impression. He has played a lot of simple games, but today he showed his ability to get to the net and create a little too.

Charlie Stramel (2023): He got a goal off the board on an offside judge, which left him with no points in the game, but I think this World Junior has showcased Stramel in a very positive way otherwise. He’s been a primary penalty killer, he plays with pace and no matter who the USA plays in the quarterfinals, they’ll need his size in the middle.

Stay tuned for a preview of the semifinals and make sure you tune in @chrismeters more World Junior reviews on Twitter.

Sources

1/ https://Google.com/

2/ https://www.flohockey.tv/articles/10267694-2023-world-juniors-breaking-down-usas-quarterfinal-win-over-germany

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