A sluggish first period, a disastrous 12-minute portion of the second period, and a subpar goaltending performance from highly touted Spencer Knight proved to be a little too much for Team USA to overcome in their  World Junior Championship tournament-opening 5-3 loss to Team Russia on Saturday night. The Russians were the more physical team, had better puck support for the balance of the match, and hurt the Americans with their transition game.

Even so, Team USA hung tough and had stretches where they got the Russians on their heels. The Americans got the game to the first intermission tied at 1-1 despite being outplayed. After the wheels fell off in a three-goal second period for Russia, Knight was replaced in net by Dustin Wolf (Carter Hart's former backup with the Everett Silvertips of the WHL).
Wolf played very well in relief and USA corrected its course over the latter stages of the middle frame. In the third period, Team USA made a run and got the deficit down to 4-3 before a late empty-net goal for the Russians sealed the deal.

Flyers 2019 first-round pick Cam York was named Player of the Game for Team USA.  Vasili Ponomaryov (two goals) was Player of the Game for the victorious Russian side.

York scored a first period goal to tie the game at 1-1 and, in the third period, made a crisp pass to Trevor Zegras that resulted in a goal that narrowed the gap to 4-3.  York skated 30 shifts and logged 22:49 of ice time overall. 

York's goal was scored from center point and appeared to be partially deflected. The official scoring on the play was changed twice. Initially credited to York, the goal was changed to credit Matthew Boldy. However, during the first intermission, the scoring was altered a second time to restore credit to York. Either which way, it was a 1-1 game at the time.

Not was all rosy for York in the opener. On Russia's second goal, Zakhar Bardakov got behind York and scored on Knight. Shortly before that play, Flyers 2019 second-round pick Bobby Brink was unable to finish off a point-blank scoring chance that could have tied the game at 2-2. Later, on Team USA's second goal, Brink earned a secondary assist with a nice pass from the side boards. Defenseman Drew Helleson wristed a shot on net, and John Farinacci scored on the rebound.

On Russia's empty net goal, York came up empty as he tried a desperation stick check on goal-scorer Yegor Chinakhov.

Team USA returns to action on Saturday, playing Austria. In addition, Emil Andrae and Sweden open up their schedule against the Czech Republic.

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