LILLEHAMMER, Norway — Goaltender Drew DeRidder (Fenton, Mich.) posted a 19-save shutout to lead the U.S. Youth Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team to a 3-0 victory in a semifinal matchup against Russia here today at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games.
The U.S., who improved to 4-0-0-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L), will face Canada in the gold medal game at 9 a.m. ET Sunday (Feb. 21).
“It was an outstanding win for our team, and a tremendous achievement to advance to the gold medal game,” said Scott Paluch, head coach of the U.S. Youth Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team. “They battled extremely hard against a very powerful Russian team and earned the right to face Canada on Sunday.”
The teams traded penalties in the opening period, but neither could find the back of the net despite the U.S. outshooting Russia, 8-2.
Jacob Pivonka (Woodridge, Ill.) opened the scoring at 4:41 of the second stanza for the only tally of the period. Erik Middendorf (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Ryan Savage (Scottsdale, Ariz.) collected assists on the goal.
With 3:44 remaining in the game, the U.S. was whistled for delay of game to put Russia on the power play. However, Jake Wise (North Andover, Mass.) found the back of the net with a shorthanded marker midway through the penalty kill to extend Team USA’s lead.
Just 1:12 later, Wise sent a pass to TJ Walsh (Shrewsbury, Mass.), who buried a wrist shot to account for the 3-0 final.
Notes: The win marked Drew DeRidder’s second shutout of the Youth Olympic Games. The U.S. outshot Russia, 23-19. For complete game statistics, click here … The gold medal game will be streamed on the Olympic Games YouTube channel. For more information, click here … Games at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics Games consist of three, 15-minute periods … The U.S. Youth Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team competed against Canada, Finland, Norway and Russia … For more information on the U.S. Youth Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team, including a complete schedule and roster, click here … Follow all U.S. Games during the Winter Youth Olympic Games via Twitter by following @USAHockey and @USAHockeyScores, and join the conversation using #Lillehammer2016 … In the first-ever Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2012, the U.S. Youth Olympics Men’s Ice Hockey Team finished fourth … Created by the International Olympic Committee, the Youth Olympic games bring youth athletes from around the world together through sports and the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship.
