ERIE, Pa. — Kailer Yamamoto (Spokane, Wash./Spokane Chiefs) scored the game-winning goal with 6:55 left to play as the United States edged Sweden, 3-1, here at Eden Insurance Arena in its final pre-tournament game ahead of the 2018 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship.
“There was a lot of good things we can draw from this win tonight,” said Bob Motzko, head coach of the 2018 U.S. National Junior Team. “If any team expects to go on a run in a tournament like, it’s important to have the experience of a tight, competitive game like the one tonight. To come away with a win is huge and something we can build on entering this year’s tournament.”
The U.S. National Junior Team will open play in the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship next Tuesday (Dec. 26), when it faces Denmark in Buffalo, New York, at KeyBank Center. Puck drop is slated for 8 p.m. ET and will be televised live on NHL Network. Tickets are on sale now here.
For the complete game recap, click here.
2018 IIHF World Junior Championship • Team USA Schedule
Dec. 26, 2017 – Jan. 5, 2018 – Buffalo, New York – KeyBank Center
NHL Network to televise live all U.S tournament games
Date Opponent Time (ET)
Result Broadcast
Tickets Location
Wed., Dec. 20 Belarus
Pre-Tournament W, 14-0 HockeyTV.com Northwest Arena
Jamestown, N.Y.
Fri., Dec. 22 Sweden
Pre-Tournament W, 3-1 HockeyTV.com Erie Insurance Arena
Erie, Pa.
Tues., Dec. 26 Denmark
Preliminary Round 8:00 p.m. NHL Network
Tickets KeyBank Center
Buffalo, N.Y.
Thurs., Dec. 28 Slovakia
Preliminary Round 8:00 p.m. NHL Network
Tickets KeyBank Center
Buffalo, N.Y.
Fri., Dec. 29 Canada
Preliminary Round 3:00 p.m. NHL Network
Tickets New Era Field
Orchard Park, N.Y.
Sun., Dec. 31
Finland
Preliminary Round 4:00 p.m. NHL Network
Tickets KeyBank Center
Buffalo, N.Y.
Tues., Jan. 2 TBD
Quarterfinals TBD NHL Network
Tickets KeyBank Center
Buffalo, N.Y.
Thurs., Jan. 4 TBD
Semifinals TBD NHL Network
Tickets KeyBank Center
Buffalo, N.Y.
Fri., Jan. 5 TBD
Bronze Medal Game 4:00 p.m. NHL Network
Tickets KeyBank Center
Buffalo, N.Y.
TBD
Gold Medal Game 8:00 p.m. NHL Network
Tickets KeyBank Center
Buffalo, N.Y.
NOTES: The final 23-player roster, which is expected to be named by Dec. 23, will represent the United States in the 2018 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship in Buffalo, New York, from Dec. 26, 2017 – Jan. 5, 2018 … The U.S. will play in the first ever outdoor game in tournament play when it takes on Canada at New Era Field on Dec. 29, 2017. Tickets for that game, as well as all other tournament games, are available here … Jim Johannson (Colorado Springs, Colo.) is serving as the general manager of Team USA for the eighth consecutive year … Bob Motzko (St. Cloud, Minn.) is serving as head coach for the 2018 U.S. National Junior Team and joined behind the bench by assistant coaches Greg Brown (Scituate, Mass.), Grant Potulny (Grand Forks, N.D.), Kris Mayotte (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Steve Miller (Littleton, Colo.) … USA Hockey’s international council, chaired by Gavin Regan (Potsdam, N.Y.), vice president of USA Hockey, has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. national teams … All U.S. games will be broadcast live on NHL Network.
