2015 World Juniors USA vs. Russia: Russia Sends Americans Home with 3-2 QF Win

Boston College will shortly get all of its loaned players back, as the Team USA vs. Russia quarterfinal in Montreal did not go America’s way.

Team Russia defeated the United States, 3-2, in the quarterfinals of the 2015 World Juniors, eliminating the Americans once again.

USA vs. Russia: American Ups and Downs

The first period went especially poorly for Team USA. The Russians were on the power play just 83 seconds into the game on a Tyler Motte hook, which expanded into 1:29 of 5-on-3 hockey after Ryan Collins high-sticked a Russian player.

Team Russia did not pass on their opportunity. During a scramble in front of the net, Thatcher Demko made the first and second saves as Ivan Barbashyov hacked away at the puck, but not the third as Team USA fell behind, 1-0.

Later in the frame, Alexander Sharov doubled the Russian lead at the 15:25 mark, back-handing a puck over a sprawled-out Demko for the score.

Team USA took five penalties in the first period compared to none for Russia; the last of those was a goalie interference which, objectively, appeared to be a terrible call. Team Russia did not convert on it, however, and took their 2-0 lead into the break.

The second period in the USA vs. Russia tilt was more even, though America still took several momentum-killing penalties in the middle of the frame. They were undeterred, as Russia collected a few penalties of their own to eventually create a USA 5-on-3. Anthony DeAngelo made use of a great goalie screen by John Hayden to score, making it a 2-1 game.

Both national teams would have a few opportunities for the remainder of the second period as play remained relatively even. Through two, Team USA had turned a one-shot deficit from the first into a one-shot surplus, having 12-10 advantage during the period.

The third period started poorly for Team USA. Sonny Milano, the former Boston College commit, took a penalty just after the period began, and Sergei Tolchinski’s shot redirected in front of Demko, leaving the Eagles goalie with no chance to make a play. Russia went ahead 3-1 and things looked bleak for the United States.

Yet, America geared up for one last push. Team USA missed on a 5-on-3 power play, but Zach Werenski capped off a good shift by his line with a goal, getting the Americans back within 3-2 with 11:04 to go. Though Team USA dominated shots on goal in the period, outshooting Russia by a four-to-one margin, the Americans never got the equalizing goal and went down to defeat.

Boston College Eagles

USA vs. Russia: Post-Mortem

America took eight penalties during the game and found a way to lose despite ultimately outshooting the Russians, 41-25 — including 20-5 in the third period.

This was a pedestrian performance by Team USA in the game, and overall a very disappointing tournament. The USA roster was loaded with talent and they did not even advance out of the quarterfinals. Further, the Boston College Eagles on the team were relatively quiet today and will have to take some of the heat for this loss.

On the bright side, Boston College will likely only have to roll with their backups in Hanover for one game. The Eagles send out backup Brad Barone shortly against the Brown Bears.