Örnsköldsvik, Sweden -- Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis.) set the U.S. single-tournament record for goals at the International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 Men’s World Championship with his two-goal performance in Team USA's 7-1 victory over Latvia here today in its final preliminary round game here today at Fjallraven Center.
“It was a great test today against Latvia,” said John Wroblewski (Neenah, Wis.), head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team. “It was a great way to end the preliminary round. We’re expecting to have a tough quarterfinal matchup and we’re embracing that challenge.”
Two minutes into play John Beecher (Elmira, N.Y.) gave the U.S. and early lead when he fired a one-timer off a Marshall Warren (Laurel Hollow, N.Y.) feed at the bottom of the right circle.
Team USA continued to apply pressure in the offensive zone throughout the period, outshooting the Latvians 12-3 after 20 minutes.
Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis.) doubled the lead when he drove the puck to the crease to slide it past Latvia goaltender Arturs Silovs 4:23 into the middle frame. With the goal, Caufield set the new U.S. single-tournament record for goals with his 10th in just four games.
With 10:48 on the clock Cam York (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) gave the U.S. a three-goal advantage when he skated took the puck around the back of net and fired a wrist shot past Silovs.
Caufield struck again 4:32 later on the power play when he converted off a net-front pass from Trevor Zegras (Bedford, N.Y.).
With 1:40 remaining in the middle stanza, Beecher netted his second of the game unassisted, giving Team USA a 5-0 lead entering the final 20 minutes of play.
Latvia got on the board eight seconds into the third period when Kristaps Skrastins scored off a shot that went in between the pads of Spencer Knight (Darien, Conn.).
Matthew Boldy (Millis, Mass.) responded 5:10 into the third off a Bobby Brink (Minnetonka, Minn.) feed before Brink concluded the scoring with 4:01 to go, accounting for the 7-1 final.
Knight made nine saves in net before Cameron Rowe (Wilmette, Ill.) made four saves in relief after entering the game at the 8:27 mark of the third.
NOTES: John Beecher was named U.S. Player of the Game … Team USA outshot Latvia 46-14, went 2-for-6 on the power play and killed off all four Russian power play attempts … Team USA news, interviews, highlights and more can be found at TeamUSA.USAHockey.com ... For the official IIHF home for the U18 Men's World Championship, click here ... 21 of the 22 players on the U.S. roster come from USA Hockey's National Team Development Program ... The U.S. enters the tournament having captured a record 15 consecutive medals, including gold medals in seven of the last ten years (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017) ... Team USA has won 10 gold medals all-time, the most of any country in IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship history... Follow @USAHockey on Twitter for live scoring updates during the tournament. Scores will be designated with the #U18Worlds tag ... For additional coverage, visit the USA Hockey Facebook page and Instagram account.)
HIGHLIGHTS
GAME PHOTOS
2019 U.S. Tournament Schedule
All games at Fjallraven Center
| DATE | OPPONENT/ROUND | LOCATION | TIME (LOCAL/ET)/RESULT | TELEVISION | U.S. Player of the Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri., April 12 | Finland Exhibition |
Heinola, Finland | L, 0-1 | None | Cam York |
| Sat., April 13 | Switzerland Exhibition |
Heinola, Finland | W, 8-0 | None | Jack Hughes |
| Thu., April 18 | Sweden Preliminary |
Fjallraven Center Ornskoldsvik, Sweden |
W, 6-1 | NHL Network | Cole Caufield |
| Fri., April 19 | Slovakia Preliminary |
Fjallraven Center Ornskoldsvik, Sweden |
W, 12-5 | NHL Network | Jack Hughes |
| Sun., April 21 | Russia Preliminary |
Fjallraven Center Ornskoldsvik, Sweden |
W, 6-3 | NHL Network | Alex Turcotte |
| Tue., April 23 | Latvia Preliminary |
Fjallraven Center Ornskoldsvik, Sweden |
W, 7-1 | NHL Network | John Beecher |
| Thu., April 25 | Finland Quarterfinals |
Fjallraven Center Ornskoldsvik, Sweden |
W, 6-0 | NHL Network | Jack Hughes |
| Sat., April 27 | Russia Semifinals |
Fjallraven Center Ornskoldsvik, Sweden |
L, 2-3 (SO) | NHL Network | Cole Caufield |
| Sun., April 28 | Canada Bronze-Medal Game |
Fjallraven Center Ornskoldsvik, Sweden |
W 5-2 | NHL Network | Cam York |
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