By @MichaelCaples –
No. 71’s off to a good start at the 2018 IIHF Men’s World Championship.
Dylan Larkin scored twice in Team USA’s opening game at the tournament today – against Canada, no less.
The U.S. prevailed over their rivals to the north in a shootout, with Cam Atkinson scoring both of the Americans’ goals in the penalty-shot sessions for the victory.
Keith Kincaid picked up the win between the pipes for Team USA, stopping 40 of 44 shots sent his way.
Anders Lee and Johnny Gaudreau also scored in regulation for the Americans, who will now prepare for a game against host country Denmark on Saturday (8:15 p.m. local time/2:15 p.m. ET). The U.S. beat Denmark 3-2 in an exhibition tune-up on Tuesday.
Larkin’s goals were both important ones for the Americans; the Red Wings forward and Waterford native scored 43 seconds into the second period to even the game at 2-2, then scored 3:27 into the third to give the U.S. a 4-3 lead.
Goal 1:
If Chris Krieder intended on making this pass to Dylan Larkin in front of the net, it was quite the pretty one. #IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/vLw4nIzxGi
— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisNHL) May 4, 2018
Goal 2:
Dylan Larkin has his second goal of the game. Great speed to blow through the middle, and that’s yet another blocker side goal. 4-3 after just 12 shots for USA. #IIHFworlds #LGRW pic.twitter.com/Ez6vTJ5DTr
— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisNHL) May 4, 2018
How the Michigan names fared:
Dylan Larkin – Waterford – Detroit Red Wings
Two goals, two shots, +1 rating, 21:42 time-on-ice
Alec Martinez – Rochester – Los Angeles Kings
Two shots, -1 rating, 20:13 time-on-ice
Alex DeBrincat – Farmington Hills – Chicago Blackhawks
One assist, one shot, +1 rating, 12:53 time-on-ice
Jordan Oesterle – Bloomfield Heights – Chicago Blackhawks
One assist, no shots, +2 rating, 11:48 time-on-ice
Quinn Hughes – Orlando, Fla. – Michigan Wolverines (NTDP alum)
One shot, one penalty, even plus/minus, 12:08 time-on-ice
Nick Jensen – St. Paul, Minn. – Detroit Red Wings
No shots, no points, -2 rating, 19:12 time-on-ice