Dylan Larkin's OT Goal Pushes USA Past Finland in 2019 IIHF Hockey Worlds
May 13, 2019
Dylan Larkin of the US, right, celebrates with Jack Eichel of the US, left, after scoring his sides winning goal during the Ice Hockey World Championships group A match between the United States and Finland at the Steel Arena in Kosice, Slovakia, Monday, May 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
A Dylan Larkin overtime goal helped the United States earn an important 3-2 win over Finland in the IIHF hockey world championships.
The two teams were tied for the entire third period, but Larkin took it upon himself to end the game with just over a minute left in overtime:
Johnny Gaudreau and Brady Skjei also scored for Team USA, which now has five points through three games. Finland was undefeated through its first two but suffered its first loss of the tournament in overtime, giving them seven points in three games.
While Finland entered Monday's game with a lot more momentum, the United States looked like the better team early on.
Skjei needed only 50 seconds to score the game's first goal, while Gaudreau doubled the lead with a goal from a seemingly impossible angle:
However, Finland responded with two goals of its own, both assisted by Sakari Manninen. The second came on a power play by Niko Ojamaki after Colin White was called for cross-checking late in the second period.
The goalies took over from there, as Corey Schneider and Veini Vehvilainen ensured that nothing else got past them for the rest of regulation. In a tournament like this one, getting to overtime and earning at least one point is key toward advancing to the next stage.
Meanwhile, the United States wanted more, and Larkin was there to provide it with an impressive individual effort to seal the victory:
The Detroit Red Wings forward had two assists in the tournament to this point but scored his first goal in a clutch moment for the Americans.
The United States opened the hockey championships with a disappointing 4-1 loss to the hosts Slovakia, but the squad has responded with a pair of important wins. With only seven games to earn a spot in the quarterfinals, there isn't much more time for mistakes.
After one day off, the team will be back in action Wednesday against Great Britain. Finland will try to get back on track against Denmark when the teams play Thursday.
Hockey World Championship 2019 Results: USA Defeats France in Sunday's Play
May 12, 2019
KOSICE, SLOVAKIA - MAY 12: Jack Eichel #9 of USA in action during the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Slovakia group A game between United States and France at Steel Arena on May 12, 2019 in Kosice, Slovakia. (Photo by Lukasz Laskowski/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images)
Sunday was the third day at the Hockey World Championships in Slovakia, with a number of powerhouse countries in action, including the United States and Russia.
Below, we'll recap the day's action and look over some of the day's highlights.
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United States def. France 7-1
The United States responded to Friday's 4-1 loss against Slovakia by thrashing France on Sunday.
Alex Debrincat (two goals), Colin White (two goals), Dylan Larkin (two assists), Alec Martinez (two assists) and Patrick Kane (one goal) led the way for the United States in the decisive win.
Anthony Rech scored the lone goal for France.
The United States currently trails Germany and Finland in the Group A standings after both teams won Sunday. Up next for the Americans is a matchup against the Fins on Monday, while France will next face Germany on Tuesday.
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Russia def. Austria 5-0
Russia is chugging along.
The Russians moved to 2-0 and remain tied with the Czech Republic atop Group B after a 5-0 win over Austria on Sunday. Yevgeni Dadonov's two goals led the way for the team, while the Russian defense allowed just 15 shots on goal.
Up next for Russia is a crucial matchup against the Czech Republic on Monday, while Austria will be looking for its first win of the tournament against Switzerland on Tuesday.
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Germany def. Denmark 2-1
Germany got goals from Matthias Plachta and Frederik Tiffels in the second period and held on for dear life in the third, beating Denmark 2-1 on Sunday.
Mathias Bau's goal halfway through the third period for Denmark made things interesting, but the Germans held on to remain tied with Finland atop Group A.
Denmark—which won its opener against France—will look to get back to its winning ways against Great Britain on Tuesday.
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Sweden def. Italy 8-0
Well, that was easy.
Sweden rolled Italy on Sunday, led by big performances by Anton Lander, who scored a hat trick, to go along with Patric Hornqvist's two goals and William Nylander's one goal and assist. The Swedes outshot the Italians 58-13, a shocking disparity.
Some credit goes to Italian goalie Marco de Filippo Roia, who may have given up eight goals but also came up with 50 saves.
Sweden, meanwhile, will be pleased with the bounce-back victory after losing their opener to the Czech Republic 5-2. Up next for Sweden is a clash with Norway on Monday, while Italy faces Latvia on Tuesday, searching for their first win and goal. The Italians have been outscored 17-0 in their two games.
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Canada def. Great Britain 8-0
Great Britain hardly had time to get settled before it was staring at a one-goal deficit. With 2:42 off the clock in the first period, Mathieu Joseph scored for Canada, which set the tone for an 8-0 blowout.
Anthony Mantha and Kyle Turris each had two goals. Mantha added three assists to an excellent all-around offensive performance.
The score could've been even worse were it not for the performances of Great Britain goaltenders Jackson Whistle and Ben Bowns. Great Britain surrendered 56 shots, thus forcing Whistle and Bowns into constant action between the pipes.
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Switzerland def. Latvia 3-1
Nico Hischier came up big for Switzerland, scoring the go-ahead goal with 3:39 left in the third period to help Switzerland to a 3-1 win over Latvia.
Elvis Merzlikins initially saved Vincent Praplan's effort in front of goal, but Hischier was there to tap home the rebound. Simon Moser added an insurance goal in the final minute after Latvia pulled Merzlikins.
The teams had exchanged goals in the second period. Gregory Hofmann put the Swiss ahead at the 33:44 mark before Miks Indrasis scored an equalizer for Latvia.
Hischier, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NHL entry draft, has been very good in his first two years with the New Jersey Devils. Devils fans will have liked seeing the 20-year-old staying composed in the final minutes of Sunday's game.
Alex DeBrincat, Colin White Lead USA to 7-1 Win vs. France at 2019 Hockey Worlds
May 12, 2019
After an ugly 4-1 loss to Slovakia in their first IIHF World Championship matchup, the United States rebounded in a big way on Sunday, beating France 7-1.
Alex DeBrincat and Colin White each notched two goals, and Frank Vatrano, Patrick Kane and Chris Kreider also scored for the United States, which will play Finland on Monday in its next group-play match.
The U.S. was coming off a loss to Slovakia in which they came out flat, while the host country got a massive boost from the home crowd.
Slovakia was defeated 4-2 by Finland on Saturday to fall back into fourth place in Group A. The United States is in second place thanks to its plus-three goal differential. Germany can move ahead of the U.S. with a win or by reaching overtime Sunday against Denmark.
The U.S. was considered among the favorites heading into the 2019 World Championship. That was thanks in large part to the return of Kane, who won tournament MVP honors in 2018 despite the U.S. taking the bronze.
The States have not won a World Championship since 1960. However, they have taken home a bronze in three of the past five World Championships and are the fourth-ranked team in the world.
