COLD LAKE, Alta. – Brannon McManus (Huntington Beach, Calif.) scored twice, but the U.S. Junior Select Team was edged in overtime by Canada West, 6-5, in a pre-tournament game ahead of the World Junior A Challenge here tonight at Imperial Oil Place.
“I think we showed great resolve throughout the game,” said Jay Varady, head coach of the 2016 U.S. Junior Select Team. “This was an excellent competitive environment to play in to open our trip. From here on out we will continue to build on this experience and get better every day.”
Nick Swaney (Lakeville, Minn.) and McManus tallied :50 apart midway through the opening frame to give Team USA a 2-1 lead entering the first intermission. Canada West opened the scoring on a power-play goal by Jordan Kawaguchi 2:44 into the contest.
Canada West regained a 3-2 lead on a pair of markers in the first 5:04 of the middle frame before McManus scored his second goal on the power play with 1:32 left in the period to even the score, 3-3.
Hank Crone (Cedar Hill, Texas) and Collin Adams (Brighton, Mich.) each found the back of the net in the final period for the U.S., goals that erased deficits of 4-3 and 5-4.
Cale Makar netted the game-winner for Canada West 20 seconds into the extra frame.
Cayden Primeau (Voorhees, N.J.) started in goal for Team USA and stopped 15 shots. Dayton Rasmussen (Eden Prairie, Minn.) entered in relief midway through the second period and made six saves.
Team USA opens play in the World Junior A Challenge against the Czech Republic on Monday (Dec. 12) at 5:30 p.m. ET at R.J. Lalonde Arena in Bonnyville, Alberta. The game will be streamed live on HockeyTV.com. Fans can also follow live on Twitter @USAHockeyScores.
2016 World Junior A Challenge • Team USA Schedule
Dec. 11-17 – Bonnyville, Alberta – R.J. Lalonde Arena
Date Opponent Time (ET)
Broadcast Info
Mon., Dec. 12 Czech Republic 5:30 p.m. HockeyTV
Tues., Dec. 13 Canada East 9:30 p.m. HockeyTV
Wed., Dec. 14 Quarterfinals TBD HockeyTV
Thurs., Dec. 15 Semifinals TBD HockeyTV
Sat., Dec. 17 Championship Game 7:00 p.m. TBD
NOTES: The U.S. outshot Canada West 33-27, finished 1-for-2 on the power play and 1-for-3 on the penalty kill … The World Junior A Challenge is in its eleventh year, and the U.S. is competing for the tenth time … All U.S. players currently play in the United States Hockey League, the lone Tier I junior hockey league in the United States. For the full U.S. roster, click here … For complete coverage of Team USA. at the World Junior A Challenge, click here … The 2016 field includes Canada East, Canada West, Czech Republic, Russia, Switzerland and the United States … Team USA has captured the World Junior A Challenge title six times (2008-10, 2012-14).
