2015 World Juniors USA vs. Finland: Demko, Tuch Lead USA to 2-1 Win

Boston College hockey stars Thatcher Demko and Alex Tuch played key roles in the 2-1 shootout victory of Team USA vs. Finland on Friday night.

Demko, Boston College’s sophomore starting goalie since last year, earned the win for the Americans, while Tuch, a freshman forward for the Eagles, scored the only regulation goal for the United States.

Team USA vs. Finland was the first game of the competition for the Americans as the team, full of Boston College representatives, seeks to take home another gold medal.

Demko was the United States starting goalie for the game at the Bell Centre in Montreal, and he gave up the first goal of the contest just 1:22 into the game. Mikko Rantanen notched it, giving Finland a 1-0 lead. However, his Eagles teammate would pick him up, as Tuch scored a power play goal at 13:54 to tie the game, 1-1. The goal was assisted by a rival from Boston University, freshman Jack Eichel.

For the remainder of regulation, over the second and third periods as well as overtime, Demko faced 24 more shots and stopped them all. His counterpart, Ville Husso, was even more stout as he stopped 27 shots in the periods after the first.

Boston College Eagles

This USA vs. Finland contest would come down to a shootout. Both Demko and Husso allowed goals in the first round, but both stood tall in the second. The decisive moment came when Chase de Leo scored in the third round, and Demko stoned Kasperi Kapanen to win it.

This is a good win for the Americans in their opening act of the 2015 World Juniors, keeping in mind that Finland won the whole thing last year and America did not take medals. Team USA is loaded in 2014-15, and with all of those Eagles on the roster, it’s no wonder things are looking up.

Apart from the implications for Team USA, seeing Demko rebound from an early goal and play well against a talented team is an encouraging sign. Furthermore, Alex Tuch continues to impress, and he could be a factor in the second half offensively for Boston College.

Their next game is on Sunday night as Team USA and its BC Eagles face Germany.