WJC: December 28th, 2014, Germany vs USA

December 28^th 2014: Germany vs USA

Score: 6-0 USA

USA possesses a lot more talent than the Germans, and it showed early in this one. The United States came out flying generating 19 of the first 21 shots, and jumped out to the early lead they wanted.

After a mediocre showing by Auston Matthews in USA’s first game, he made an impact early, as he showed good strength coming from behind the net and finishing a wraparound just outside the paint.

Shortly after Dylan Larkin won a race to a loose puck behind the net before centering it, where Hudson Fasching eventually banged one in to give USA a 2-0 lead.

Sonny Milano then joined the action as his cross-ice pass on a 2-on-1 was blocked and bounced right back to him for a tap-in goal to put the Americans up 3-0.

Ilya Sharipov, who was excellent in this game, held the fort down for about 15 minutes without a goal, but Larkin changed that when he drove the net and Janik Moser poked it into his own cage to give USA a 4-0 lead.

Sharipov managed to hold USA off the board for most of the 3^rd before Jack Eichel scored on a powerful wraparound move. Larkin later tallied his 2^nd of the game and USA’s 6^th as time was about to expire.

On the other end of the ice, Brandon Halverson made a few nice saves but wasn’t really tested much, as the 53-14 shot totals would suggest.

Noteworthy

Dylan Larkin (Red Wings) – Larkin’s speed was a big factor in this one. He accelerated quickly and was good carrying the puck through the neutral zone and into Germany’s zone with possession. He won a race for a loose puck prior to assisting on USA’s 2^nd goal, and he was a little lucky on his goal (USA’s 4^th) as he drove the net, and his centering pass was deflected in by a German defender. He added another tally late beating an exhausted Sharipov short side before he could hug his post.

Jack Eichel (2015) – Eichel only had one point in this one, but he was one of the best players on the ice. He was a beast along the wall, won races for loose pucks and was tough to contain coming out of the corners. He showed good creativity making a tape-to-tape no-look pass from the corner and set up teammates for a few great chances. His lone point came on an outstanding effort where he powered around the net and stuffed it home taking just one stride in the process.