MONTREAL --  University of North Dakota forward Nick Schmaltz and the United States opened the 2015 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championships with a 2-1 shootout victory over Finland this afternoon at the Bell Centre.

It was the first tournament game for both teams.

Schmaltz registered four shots on goal, third on the team behind only Jack Eichel and Alex Tuch, and drew a pair of minor penalties but was held off of the scoresheet. The Verona, Wis., native skated on Team USA's second line with center Auston Matthews and left winger Sonny Milano and was also a regular member of the team's top power-play unit.

Schmaltz nearly scored the game-winner in the dying seconds of regulation on a brilliant individual rush, but was turned aside by Finnish netminder Ville Husso.

Chase DeLeo scored the shootout winner in the third round for the U.S., which received a 29-save effort from goaltender Thatcher Demko. Eichel scored the team's lone goal in regulation while Mikko Rantanen scored for Finland.

Team USA continues Group A play on Sunday, Dec. 28, against Germany at 7 p.m. in Montreal. The game can be seen lived in the U.S. on NHL Network and NHL.com.