World Junior Summer Showcase: USA Blue Defeats Finland
By Daniel Garza
![TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 22: Team USA tournament jersey prior to the game against Team Czech Republic during the World Cup of Hockey 2016 at Air Canada Centre on September 22, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images) TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 22: Team USA tournament jersey prior to the game against Team Czech Republic during the World Cup of Hockey 2016 at Air Canada Centre on September 22, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/848c279f1e0dd39d5db3b5b77a4335c9358ea2503ee6387705b37e7842989f20.jpg)
The United States Blue Team came out victorious on Sunday afternoon in the World Junior Summer Showcase at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan.
After falling to Sweden on a last second goal on Saturday afternoon, Team USA Blue bounced back with a 4-1 win over Finland in the first game of Sunday’s action.
How it Happened
The first goal of the game came early in the second period as Max Gildon blasted home his first goal of the competition.
#WJSS: LHD Max Gildon (FLA 3rd/2017) blasts home a loose puck to make it 1-0 USA-B over Finland early in the 3rd pic.twitter.com/1yMVfuYHTp
— Steve Kournianos (@TheDraftAnalyst) July 30, 2017
Less than 10 minutes later, the U.S. would double their advantage on the power play. Sasha Chmelevski put home a rebound after Trent Frederic initially threw the puck in front of the net.
#WJSS: C Sasha Chmelevski (SJ) buries a rebound as C Trent Frederic (BOS) purposely fires it onto the crowd in the low slot. 2-0 USA pic.twitter.com/eleMNkooGb
— Steve Kournianos (@TheDraftAnalyst) July 30, 2017
A fine performance in the second period by the Americans would be capped off with Jason Robertson’s one-timer that found the back of the net.
#WJSS: LW Jason Robertson (DAL) buries a pass from C Patrick Khodorenko (2018/1998) as RW Tim Gettinger (NYR) forced the turnover. 3-0 USA-B pic.twitter.com/zFdg0vMCCB
— Steve Kournianos (@TheDraftAnalyst) July 30, 2017
Finland would finally get on the scoreboard in the third period. Detroit Red Wings prospect Kasper Kotkansalo would pick up the assist as Aarne Talvitie fired it past Keith Petruzzelli.
#WJSS: Aarne Talvitie (NJD) gets Finland on the board with a shot over Petruzzelli's shoulder. Now 3-1 USA-Blue in the 3rd pic.twitter.com/DAPWqheqiQ
— Steve Kournianos (@TheDraftAnalyst) July 30, 2017
The game would be all but over when forward Tim Gettinger slotted one past the Finnish goaltender after a turnover by Finland in their own defensive zone.
#WJSS: LW Tim Gettinger (NYR) steals the puck and lifts one over Lehtinen to make it 4-1 USA-Blue midway through the 3rd pic.twitter.com/GAULMDb3KJ
— Steve Kournianos (@TheDraftAnalyst) July 30, 2017
Red Wings Prospects Perform Well
Petruzzelli definitely had a better performance in Sunday’s game and stopped 27 of the 28 shots he faced. He had a shutout going into the third period and was impressive throughout.
Keith Petruzzelli #WJSS #U20 #FinU20 #USAU20 #J20gifs pic.twitter.com/jVFrYkrFwy
— Anton (@bolaniii9) July 30, 2017
Kotkansalo picked up his second point of the competition and also turned in a good outing. All-in-all Red Wings fans should be pleased with the two representatives from the organization in this game.
Team USA Blue returns to action on Tuesday as they face Team Canada White at 7:00 p.m. Finalnd will be off for a couple of days and will take on the full combined USA squad on Aug.4 at 4:00 p.m.
What did you think about the two Red Wings prospects performances thus far? Let us know in the comments section below.