(Kungsbacka) Lane Hutson scored the game-winning goal in overtime as the United States defeated Canada 6-5 in a preseason game ahead of the World Junior Championship on Saturday.
Hutson, a Montreal Canadiens prospect, crossed the ice during the three-on-three overtime period, before losing control of the puck in front of Owen Beck, another Canadiens prospect. Hutson immediately recovered it, then scored to end the game at 3:21.
Ryan Leonard scored twice, while Quinn Finley, Sam Rinzel and Oliver Moore also scored for the United States. Hutson also had an assist in addition to scoring the game-winner and Isaac Howard provided two assists.
Macklin Celebrini and Owen Allard each had a goal and an assist, while Conor Geekie, Matthew Savoie and Jordan Dumais also scored for Canada.
“Every time you play a game against these guys, you’re going to see the best of them and we’re going to give the best of ourselves,” Celebrini said in a statement. It was a very competitive match. It was intense and it was fun to be a part of. »
Jacob Fowler, another Canadian prospect, allowed two goals on 16 shots in front of the American net, while Trey Augustine stopped 24 of the 27 shots he faced. For Canada, Mathis Rousseau allowed three goals on 15 shots, while Samuel St-Hilaire stopped 10 of the 13 shots made in his direction.
Hutson contributed to the first goal of the game with a pass in the middle of the ice which allowed Finley to escape. Finley took advantage of his chance.
Canada took a 2-1 lead thanks to hits from Celebrini and Geekie, but the Americans scored three unanswered goals in the second period.
The United States led 5-3 after 40 minutes of play.
Canada scored twice early in the third period to force overtime.
“It was an entertaining game and a good game for us going into the tournament,” said U.S. coach David Carle. We will take advantage of what we learned during our two preparatory matches to build. I’m looking forward to our first match of the tournament against Norway on Tuesday. »
Canada, the defending tournament champion, begins its defense Tuesday against Finland in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Defensemen Jorian Donovan and Ty Nelson replaced Tristan Luneau and Tanner Molendyk in the Canadian lineup, Hockey Canada announced on Saturday. Luneau and Molendyk will miss the tournament due to injuries.
Celebrini, favored to be selected first overall in the upcoming draft, avoided a suspension for a check from behind against Leo Braillard of Switzerland in Canada’s 6-2 victory on Friday.
The 17-year-old forward was sent off for his actions, but the International Ice Hockey Federation announced Saturday that no further sanctions would be imposed.
