US defeats Canada, meets Switzerland in QF today

On Saturday, Team USA defeated Canada 3-1, behind three points (G, 2A) from Jordan Greenway and a pair of Clayton Keller assists. The win gave the U.S. a perfect 4-0 record and clinched first place in the B group for the preliminary round of the IIHF World Junior Championships.

With a man advantage, Greenway set up the first goal at 4:31 in a manner familiar to BU fans, controlling the puck behind the Canadian net and sliding a pass to BC’s Colin White in the slot for the finish.  Less than two minutes later, the 6-5 forward from Canton, NY scored a second power play goal taking Keller’s pass behind the goal line, driving to the net and forcing the puck home. Charlie McAvoy also assisted on the goal.

In the second period, Canada cut the lead in half with a 5-on-3 goal, but Team USA quickly regained its two-goal margin. In the final period, Patrick Harper blocked a Canadian shot and was sent in alone but a slash impeded his opportunity and, strangely no penalty shot was awarded.

Medal round play begins today with Team USA facing Switzerland in a game starting at 5:30 p.m. ET.  If victorious, they’ll meet the winner of Denmark vs. Russia. Canada’s quarterfinal opponent is The Czech Republic. Switzerland finished fourth in the A Group after losing Saturday to Finland, 2-0. The U.S. squad edged Switzerland, 4-3, in a pre-tournament exhibition game. Puck drop for US-Switzerland is at 5:30 p.m. ET, while Dante Fabbro and Canada take on the Czechs at 8 p.m. ET. Both games will be aired on NHL Network and TSN.

► Team USA won its preliminary round group for the first time since 2011.

● USA Hockey recap, highlights, comments

● IIHF recap and video highlights

● College Hockey News recap

● United States of Hockey recap

● The Hockey News Greenway feature

Game Day

● USA Hockey US vs Switzerland; Keys to success for U.S.

● United States of Hockey: US-Switzerland preview

● NHL.com 5 Things to Watch in the Quartefinals
● SB Nation US-Switzerland preview

►Ten questions with Bellows

                

Looking back
Four former Terriers took part in the Winter Classic Alumni Game in St. Louis.  BU assistant coach Scott Young and Keith Tkachuk skated for the hometown Blues, while Olympic Gold Medalist Jack O'Callahan and Adrian Aucoin played for the Black Hawks.