Team USA earned a thrilling 2-1 victory over Finland Friday in the opening round of the 2015 International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Junior Championship – and a player with a Minnesota connection had a big hand in it.
Trailing 1-0 to Finland, Wild draft pick Alex Tuch buried a one-timer on the power play to even the score and net Team USA’s lone regulation goal.
Good shootout win by USA against defending champ Finland in world jr opener. #mnwild first round pick Alex Tuch lone USA regulation goal
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) December 26, 2014
Team USA eventually won it when Chase DeLeo scored in the third round of a shootout and Team USA goaltender Thatcher Demko shut the door to seal the victory.
Tuch wasn’t the only player with Minnesota connections participating in the game. Gophers forward Hudson Fasching and defenseman Ryan Collins also play for Team USA.
Reminder, the #WJC2015 starts today up in Canada. @collegehockey put together a great graphic including 3 #Gophers. pic.twitter.com/14kjDili4R
— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) December 26, 2014
Team USA returns to action on Sunday against Germany at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
