NEWSLETTER
Team USA took on Austria in its third group play game in the World Juniors on Saturday afternoon, and this one was over in the first few minutes. After outscoring Germany and Switzerland 12-2 in their first two games, the Americans made similar work of the Austrians with the help of Blackhawks prospect Wyatt Kaiser in the opening minutes of the first period.
Less than a minute into the contest, Kaiser lit the lamp for the Americans with a long shot from the point that beat Austria goaltender Leon Sommer.
After Calgary prospect Matt Matt Coronato made it 2-0 a little over a minute later, it was Kaiser again, this time scoring from outside the circle with 8:20 to play in the first period, and it was 3-0 USA with the Americans leading 15-1 in shots on goal over Austria.
Kaiser was doing a little bit of everything on Saturday afternoon in Edmonton, firing shots on net (six in the first period alone), making good checks, delivering hits, and carrying the puck up the ice easily.
Here’s a nice reverse hit from Kaiser:
Here’s Kaiser showing off the puck handling and skating skills going end-to-end on this United States rush:
Kaiser wasn’t the only Blackhawks prospect whose name was often called on Saturday. Landon Slaggert and Dominic James had their fair share of notable moments in the rout of Austria. Dominic James scored on a 2-on-1 rush with the Americans short-handed in the second period, but the goal was wiped off the board after Team USA was ruled offsides upon review.
James also nearly set up Landon Slaggert with a goal in the second period:
While the Blackhawks’ prospects looked good, it wasn’t only Blackhawks’ prospects that fueled the lopsided Team USA victory. Red Wings prospect Carter Mazur (2021 third-rounder) scored a pair of goals in the second period to make it 7-0 Team USA.
As I mentioned earlier, Flames prospect Matt Coronato, Ducks prospect Sasha Pastujov, and Red Wings prospect, Red Savage each scored as well.
The Americans made light work of Austria with a 6-0 victory and improved to 3-0 in the preliminary round while outshooting Austria 55-15. Team USA has outscored their opponents (albeit lesser talented opponents) 18-2 in three victories.
Team USA will get a step up in competition when they take on Sweeden tomorrow night in their final preliminary round contest. That game is set for a 9:00 pm (ct) puck drop at Rogers Place.
Here’s what the scoring totals for Blackhawks prospects on Team USA look like through three preliminary games:
Kaiser was named the USA’s top payer of the game after their blowout victory over Austria.
