LANDSHUT, Germany — Two explosive three-goal periods for Team USA propeled a 6-1 victory over Team Finland on Tuesday in the team's second and final pre-tournament match before the 2022 IIHF U18 Men's World Championship.
After a slow start and a shootout loss to Team Sweden, Team USA didn't miss a beat in the match against Finland.
A three-goal first period got the Americans off to a great start. Isaac Howard (Hudson, Wis. / Minnesota-Duluth), Ryan Chesley (Mahtomedi, Minn. / Minnesota), and Logan Cooley (Pittsburgh / Minnesota) would each put a tally on the scoreboard to put Team USA up 3-1 after the first 20 minutes.
Three more goals would come in the second frame, this time from Jimmy Snuggerud (Chaska, Minn. / Minnesota), Devin Kaplan (Bridgewater, N.J. / Boston University), and Cole Spicer (Grand Forks / uncommited). Team USA led 6-1 after the second period. Neither team would score in the third.
Trey Augustine (South Lyon, Mich. / Michigan) stood tall in net, only allowing a single goal in all 60 minutes.
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Special teams were a large part of Team USA's success. One goal was scored on the power play, another while shorthanded, and two back-to-back goals came during a short frame of 4-on-4 play.
Team USA will start the preliminary round of the U18 Men's World Championship on Saturday. They will play Team Canada at 12:30 p.m. CT at Fanatec Arena in Landshut.
Team USA is competing in Group A which includes Canada, Czechia, and Germany. Group B is Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, and Latvia.
