After more than a year and a half of international competition, both teams spent the first five minutes feeling one another out, looking for their rhythm and chemistry. Declan Farmer rushed down ice five minutes into the period, with Kevin McKee support for a two-on-one in what looked like a promising opportunity to challenge Canadian goaltender Dominic LaRocque. But after a rolling puck bounced free, Canada rushed down ice with a breakaway opportunity. Josh Pauls darted back into the defensive zone, canceling out the opportunity. With less than a minute remaining in the opening frame, Brody Roybal flew into the offensive, canceling out an icing whistle. His hustle was converted into a Travis Dodson shot on net.
Canada pulled ahead, 2-0, on back-to-back power play goals. A centering pass from the dot found its way to James Dunn’s stick, finishing a one-timer out of the reach of Cash. Tyler McGregor cashed in on a tight shot in front of the net.
With less than three minutes left in the middle period, Farmer charged up the middle of the ice and was hauled down as he carried the puck into the slot, drawing a U.S. power play. Team USA used the momentum from the extra man to push for a flurry of chances in the final 30 seconds, including a Jack Wallace high shot that LaRocque pushed away. Despite the push, Canada kept the tall at 2-0.
U.S. came out quickly, bring the game within one, thanks to a Roybal breakaway goal. Pauls circled back in his defensive zone and strung a pass to a streaking Royabl, who tucked the puck under his sled and finished far side. Cash kept the game at 2-1 with a big blocker save, coming across his crease while the U.S. was shorthanded.
Team USA continued with its offensive pressure at the midway mark, firing shot after shot toward LaRocque, but the Canadian netminder was up to the task. With just over five minutes remaining, U.S. earned a power play opportunity. Josh Misiewicz nearly tied the game with a rebound opportunity a minute into the advantage, and then again thanks to a Roybal centering pass.
Canada was able to stop the U.S. endless offensive onslaught, ending a two-game Worlds win streak for the U.S over Canada., with a 2-1 victory.
