Florida Panthers prospect Owen Lindmark set up the game-opening goal in USA Blue’s 4-2 win over Sweden at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, MI.
Spencer Knight backed up Isaiah Saville (Vegas Golden Knights), who stopped 19 of 21 shots. Look for Knight, Florida first-rounder in June, to get the start today against Finland.
Lindmark drew the lone helper on Blake McLaughlin’s (Anaheim Ducks) goal 6:49 into the first period and registered two shots on goal.
John Beecher (Boston Bruins) and Alex Turcotte (Los Angeles Kings) scored to give the Americans a 3-0 lead after twenty minutes.
The Swedes closed within one thanks to third period goals from Samuel Fagemo (Los Angeles KIngs) and David Gustafsson (Winnipeg Jets) before Turcotte set up Cole Caufield (Montreal Canadiens) for the clinching empty-netter.
In other action, Finland edged USA White by a score of 3-2. Eemil Erholtz, a 2020 draft eligible forward, scored twice and Sampo Ranta (Colorado Avalanche) also lit the lamp for the Finns. Nick Robertson (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Oliver Wahlstrom (New York Islanders) tallied for USA White. Finland’s Justus Annunen (Colorado Avalanche) made 36 saves while Michigan State’s Drew DeRidder stopped 14 of 17 shots.
Today’s games
USA Blue vs. Finland 1 p.m. HockeyTV
USA White vs. Sweden 1 p.m. HockeyTV
Hockey Headlines
The Calgary Flames and goaltender David Rittich avoided arbitration by agreeing to terms on a two-year, $5.5-million contract. Rittich, a 26-year-old from the Czech Republic, enjoyed a breakout 2018-19 campaign. He made a career-high 42 starts, went 27-9-5, and posted personal-bests in save percentage (.911) and goals-against average (2.61). (Matchsticks and Gasoline)
Remaining Arbitration Hearings
Buffalo Sabres: Remi Elie (August 1) Linus Ullmark (August 2) Jake McCabe (August 4)
Carolina Hurricanes: Anton Forsberg (August 4)
Nashville Predators: Rocco Grimaldi (August 4)
New Jersey Devils: Will Butcher (August 2)
St. Louis Blues: Joel Edmundson (August 4)
* 33 of the 40 players who filed have signed new contracts