LANDSHUT, Germany — After a less than ideal first period, Team USA exploded in the second with four unanswered goals to propel themselves to another victory at the 2022 IIHF U18 Men's World Championship. The Americans defeated Czechia, 6-2.
Czechia had a strong start, scoring early on in the first period with a penalty shot goal from Jiri Kulich. The Czechs then had consecutive two power plays in the first period that stifled the offense of the United States for the first 20 minutes of play.
The first goal for the Americans came from Isaac Howard (Hudson, WI / Minnesota-Duluth) on the power play — Howard's fifth goal of the tournament in two games played.
A few minutes later, Team USA quickly scored back-to-back goals. The two tallies from Jimmy Snuggerud (Chaska, Minn. / Minnesota) and Ryan Leonard (Amherst, Mass. / Boston College) came just 30 seconds apart.
Team USA captain Rutger McGroarty (Lincoln, Neb. / Michigan) tacked on the final goal of the second to extend the US lead to 4-1.
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An absolute LASER of a shot from the captain @RutgerMcgroarty ‼️#U18MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/gwg5VNpf5Y
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) April 24, 2022
Things calmed down a little bit after the second frame, but the final 20 minutes still had something to offer.
Team USA added yet another tally on a power play opportunity after a cross-check from Czechia. Logan Cooley (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Minnesota) was credited with the goal.
The Czechs got one back with just under 10 minutes left in regulation, but Team USA went on to add one more — McGroarty's second of the game — to seal a 6-2 win.
After another win, the Americans hold the top spot in Group A with six points, three points clear of Canada and Czechia.
Team USA will get a day off after back-to-back games and then will play its final pool play game on Tuesday, April 26, at 12:30 p.m. CT against Germany. The quarterfinal matches are set to be played on Thursday in Landshut and Kaufbeuren.
