Team USA White dropped its opening match against Finland, 2-1, at the 2021 World Junior Summer Showcase. Luck Tuch scored the lone goal for the U.S.
Finland jumped to a 1-0 lead after the first period, thanks to a backhand goal from Oliver Kapanen. However, the U.S. pushed play in the period, nearly scoring twice past Finnish netminder Leevin Merilainen. A diving Ty Smilanic tried to push in a rebound off a Wyatt Kaiser shot, and Dylan Duke fresh off the bench nearly cashed in on a cross-ice pass from Thomas Bordeleau.
Tuch tied the game for Team White with a power-play marker with 13 seconds remaining in the middle period. Bordeleau carried the puck into the offensive zone and danced between two defenders, leaving an open Tuch on the wing to fire it into the net.
Finland regained the advantage from a shot fired from the faceoff circle, with just 11:07 remaining in regulation.
Kaiden Mbereko played the first two periods for the U.S., stopping nine of 10 shots. Aidan Campbell stopped four of five in the third period. The U.S. outshot Finland, 29-15.
Action will continue on Tuesday at USA Hockey Arena, as USA Blue is scheduled to play Sweden at 1 p.m. ET, and USA White will square off against Finland at 4 p.m. ET. All games will be broadcast live on HockeyTV.com. Fans can purchase tickets here.
