Team USA enters the tournament this year on a five-game win streak against Russia, including last year’s 3-1 preliminary round victory. Arthur Kaliyev (Staten Island, N.Y.) scored twice, while Trevor Zegras (Bedford, N.Y.) dished out two assists in the game. Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis.) was also credited with an assist in the game. Spencer Knight (Darien, Ct.) stopped 25 of 26 shots, while Yaroslav Askarov played in relief for Russia for the final 16 minutes of the game. Those four American players are currently on this year’s roster.

The previous 11 games, dating back to the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship, between Russia and the United States have been decided by two goals or less. Seven of those 11 games were decided by just one tally.

Today’s Opponent: Russia

The U.S. National Junior Team has a 9-1-0-12-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T) series record against Russia in the IIHF World Junior Championship. The two teams have split the last 10 games five games apiece.