Team USA opened the Beijing Olympics men’s hockey tournament on Thursday with an 8-0 victory over China. This win was made possible by their young players’ impressive offensive skills, which turned a close game into an epic victory.
Forward Sean Farrell was a 5-point player, scoring a double-digit hat trick and two assists. The Harvard University player was also selected by the USHL Chicago Steel as a fourth-round draft selection. Montreal Canadiens2020
“It’s amazing to get our first game under the belts. Farrell said that they have been practicing hard and working together off the ice. “Until the first game on the ice, we don’t really know what our options are. It was a great beginning for us.”
Forward Ben Meyers had three goals and two assists. Drew Commesso was the shutout’s goalie and made 29 saves. The Blackhawks draft the 19-year-old in 2020. This makes him the youngest ever goalie to start for the U.S. in the Olympics.
The game was very competitive for one period. Team USA’s roster is made up mostly of NCAA players. China took over the Kunlun Red Star roster from Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League to become its national team. China won attacking zone time against the Americans in the first period. They outshot them 16-11.
Goalie Jeremy SmithChina was strong, but he couldn’t stop a quick shot by forward Brendan Brisson on an U.S. power-play that gave them a 1-0 advantage they would carry into intermission. Brisson, 20 years old, was a 2020 first round draft pick. Vegas Golden Knights.
The Americans won the second period as their talent advantage was evident.
“Obviously, NHLers can’t attend. “This is a unique opportunity for young men to come and make the most out of it,” Noah Cates, forward for Minnesota Duluth.
At 5:32 in the second period, it was 2-0. Cates quickly scored it through Smith after Farrell sent him a spin-orama pass.
Cates stated, “Great work by those guys down low. I was fortunate enough to finish.”
The game’s turning point came at 10:41 in the second half. China won a power play that lasted just four seconds. Shuai Fu was sent off for high-sticking. Forward Brian O’NeillThe only Olympian returning from Team USA’s 2018 Olympic team, he converted a pass from Andy Miele28 seconds of 4-on-4 play and you have the 3-0 advantage
Ferrell scored his goal 1:53 before the final period ended. He took a perfect shot over Smith in an odd-man rush to take the 4-0 lead. In the period, the U.S. beat China 16-6.
The floodgates opened in the third quarter, when the Americans took control of play and scored goals from Farrell (1.06), Ben Meyers (10.19), Matty Bernier (12:00), who was second overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. Seattle Kraken.
Farrell completed his hat-trick with just 1:33 left. This was the 10th Olympic hat trick by Team USA, and the first since 1996. Arizona CoyotesForward Phil KesselIn 2014, one was against Slovenia.
After a brief game, the Americans won with a shot advantage of 55 to 29.
The U.S. (1-0), faces Canada on Saturday. Germany (0-1) plays China in the preliminaries of Group A.