Blais Leads US Juniors To Big Win Over Latvia
Dec 30, 2009 | General, Hockey
SASKATOON, Sask. - Team USA, coached by UNO hockey coach #Dean Blais#, improved to 3-0 in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship with a 12-1 win over Latvia on Tuesday afternoon. The Americans raced out to a 6-0 lead after the first period and never looked back.
Chris Kreider of Boston College earned a hat trick to power the U.S. attack. The Americans scored five powerplay goals in the game.
"We moved the puck well and did what we had to in the first period," Blais told USA Hockey's web site. "I was happy that we finished strong in the final period, because I knew that however we performed would carry over into our next game against Canada."
Tuesday's win sets up a New Year's Eve showdown with the host country and tournament favorites. The two teams will square off at 7 p.m. CT, and the game can be seen live on the NHL Network. Canada is also 3-0 after an 8-2 win over Slovakia on Tuesday night.
The Canadians are seeking an unprecedented sixth straight gold medal.
Danny Kristo of the University of North Dakota opened the scoring just three minutes into the game and scored his second of the game following a tally by Jason Zucker to make it 3-0.
A.J. Jenks scored to make it 4-0 at 14:40 before Kreider and Tyler Johnson each scored in the last minute of the period to make it 6-0 U.S.
Kreider got his second of the game as the only American goal in the second period.
Derek Stepan of the University of Wisconsin scored twice in the third, Zucker had another goal and Kreider finished his hat trick by scoring on a penalty shot with 1:14 remaining. Jeremy Morin concluded the barrage with a powerplay goal in the final minute.
Goaltender Mike Lee of St. Cloud State made 18 saves to earn the win. At the other end, the US poured 62 shots on Latvian goalie Janis Kalnins.
Chris Kreider of Boston College earned a hat trick to power the U.S. attack. The Americans scored five powerplay goals in the game.
"We moved the puck well and did what we had to in the first period," Blais told USA Hockey's web site. "I was happy that we finished strong in the final period, because I knew that however we performed would carry over into our next game against Canada."
Tuesday's win sets up a New Year's Eve showdown with the host country and tournament favorites. The two teams will square off at 7 p.m. CT, and the game can be seen live on the NHL Network. Canada is also 3-0 after an 8-2 win over Slovakia on Tuesday night.
The Canadians are seeking an unprecedented sixth straight gold medal.
Danny Kristo of the University of North Dakota opened the scoring just three minutes into the game and scored his second of the game following a tally by Jason Zucker to make it 3-0.
A.J. Jenks scored to make it 4-0 at 14:40 before Kreider and Tyler Johnson each scored in the last minute of the period to make it 6-0 U.S.
Kreider got his second of the game as the only American goal in the second period.
Derek Stepan of the University of Wisconsin scored twice in the third, Zucker had another goal and Kreider finished his hat trick by scoring on a penalty shot with 1:14 remaining. Jeremy Morin concluded the barrage with a powerplay goal in the final minute.
Goaltender Mike Lee of St. Cloud State made 18 saves to earn the win. At the other end, the US poured 62 shots on Latvian goalie Janis Kalnins.
Monday, October 05
Tuesday, September 01
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, August 21
