The United States entered the game just 41 seconds after shutting down Germany’s power play midway through the opening period. Brady Tkachuk (St. Louis, Missouri/Ottawa Senators) won the puck battle behind the net and passed the ball to Kesselring, who was waiting at the point. Tkachuk deflected the shot at the top of the crease, but Kesselring tapped it in and sent it into the back of the goal.
Matt Boldy (Mills, Mass./Minnesota Wild) was robbed with 3:18 left in the opening period when the puck bounced off the top of the crease and was sucked into the outstretched glove of Mattis Niederberger.
Kesselring doubled the U.S. lead with less than three minutes left in the first inning. Brock Nelson (Warroad, Minn./New York Islanders) intercepted a breakthrough pass in the neutral zone and carried the puck to create a 2-on-1 opportunity. A short pass to the high Kesselring gave him space to slip past the goalie and slip the puck into the back of the goal.
Trey Augustin (South Lyon, Mich./Michigan State) entered the game for Team USA at 2:3:27 after goaltender Alex Ryan (Baudette, Minn./Detroit Red Wings) was injured. . Moments later, Germany’s Yasin Ehritz entered the zone alone on a clear pass over the boards, and Augustin knocked the shot away to maintain America’s 2-0 advantage.
Johnny Gaudreau (Salem, N.H./Columbus Blue Jackets) scored 23 seconds into the USA’s power play at 12:23, giving Team USA a 3-0 lead. During a scramble at the net, Gaudreau, who was waiting at the far post, chipped Baldy from short range.
