GRAND FORKS, N.D. – After a day off, UND returned to international play at the World Juniors in St. Paul and Minneapolis on Monday evening with a pair of games.
WORLD JUNIORS: United States 6, Slovakia 5
In the first true test of group play, the United States rallied back for a 6-5 win over Slovakia to improve to 3-0-0 at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul.
Monday was just another day at the office for
Will Zellers, as the forward potted his fourth goal of the tournament with a power play tally in the third period to extend USA's lead to 6-4 while also adding an assist for a two-point night. The Maple Grove, Minn., native now has the game-winning goal in all three of Team USA's victories and was elevated to the top line as the game progressed.
Defenseman
EJ Emery also saw an elevated role due to an injury on the American blue line, as he saw just under 13 minutes of ice time in the win.
Goaltender Caleb Heil made his second start of the tournament and earned another win with 26 saves on 31 shots against.
Team USA will look to close out group stage perfect against Sweden on Dec. 31 at 5:00 p.m. on NHL Network and TSN.
WORLD JUNIORS: Canada 9, Denmark 1
Canada had its best performance of the tournament in Monday's nightcap, rolling to a 9-1 victory over Denmark at 3M Arena in Minneapolis.
The game marked the World Junior debut for defenseman
Keaton Verhoeff, who was activated to the Canadian roster prior to the contest. The young blueliner notched an assist just minutes into his first shift on a slick breakout pass that led to Canada's second goal. Overall, Verhoeff played nearly 15 minutes and was a plus-2.
Ethan MacKenzie also registered an assist on Canada's fifth goal and logged 19:34 of ice time to sit second among all Canadian skaters while
Cole Reschny went 6-4 in the faceoff dot and was a plus-1.
Canada will also aim to finish group play unbeaten against Finland on Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m. (CT) on TSN and NHL Network.
For more information on North Dakota hockey, follow on social media @UNDmhockey or visit FightingHawks.com.
