By Adam Kimelman @NHLAdamK / NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor–
PLYMOUTH, Mich. — United States defenseman David Farrance knows how to make up for lost time.
Farrance, a third-round pick (No. 92) of the Nashville Predators in the 2017 NHL Draft, joined the U.S. at the World Junior Summer Showcase on Sunday as an injury replacement, two days after the rest of the team arrived.
He went from the airport to the lineup that day against Sweden and hasn’t gotten much of a break. In four games in six days, he has four points (one goal, three assists).
Farrance scored arguably the best goal of the week, going end-to-end for the game-winning power-play goal in a 4-3 victory against Finland at USA Hockey Arena on Friday.
“Just saw open ice up the middle and the puck was wobbling a little bit so it was easy to flip up,” Farrance said. “Just flipped it over a couple sticks and went on a breakaway, then just tried to put it home.”
Farrance said he didn’t arrive with a chip on his shoulder because he wasn’t part of the initial camp group. Instead, he’s just enjoying the time at his former home rink the past two seasons with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program under-18 team.
“I’m just happy to be here now,” he said. “It’s good to be around a great group of hockey players. I’m pretty thankful for the opportunity they have given me.”
Farrance said the next step is to take what he’s learned this week back with him to Boston University and work toward being in the first group invited to the final select camp for the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship in December.
“This just shows me the level of compete all the guys have on our team and other teams and where my level of play needs to be to make such an elite team like this and be ready to go when something like this comes up,” he said.
Defenseman Adam Fox (Calgary Flames) scored two goals for the U.S., forward Riley Tufte (Dallas Stars) scored and forward Ryan Poehling (Montreal Canadiens) had three assists. Jake Oettinger (Stars) made 37 saves.
Forwards Janne Kuokkanen (Carolina Hurricanes) and Otto Koivula (New York Islanders), and defenseman Robin Salo (Islanders) scored for Finland. Lassi Lehtinen (2018 NHL Draft eligible) had 17 saves.
(Reprinted with permission of NHL.com)
