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FINAL: USA 8 - GER 0

The crowd gives a loud ovation at the horn and Team USA celebrates a solid all around effort to open the tournament. Check back soon for a full game recap, statistics and post-game videos on USAHockey.com. Thanks for watching and be sure to share your congratulatory notes with Team USA in the comments section.

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00:40: Final seconds here on Team USA's dominant opening victory.

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4:17: Crowd gets loud whenever the Germans have a chance, but Gillies is there to make a save on their first shot in a while.

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6:12: Germay has a chance for a breakaway but Grimaldi skates back and dives to poke the puck away! Great effort from the forward.

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7:20: The wave starts to circle the crowd

Jones credited with the unassisted goal, his second point of the night (1G - 1A)

USA 8 - GER 0

9:28: GOAL! Jones collected a slow moving loose puck at the high slot then skated in and wristed a dart to the top corner glove side. He had a small opening and hit it. Great shot and goal after the teams returned to 5-on-5

USA 7 - GER 0

11:24: GOAL! Miller steals the puck and darts in on goal, fakes backhand then slides the puck five hole. Good hockey sense on display.

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11:54: Galchenyk called for cross checking and Germany's Mebus is sent off for roughing. 4-on-4

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12:55: All even strength now. Baudreau dumps it in.

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14:20: Barber charges into the zone and is taken down near the net, he slammed the post with his side and was a little slow to get up. Stan Wong is looking at him on the bench and he seems OK.

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15:20: The 5-on-3 becomes a 6-on-3 and Gillies makes two saves. The Germans retained the puck though and the U.S. held strong, so McCabe is sent off and it's back to a 5-on-4

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17:09: Gillies is in net now, he makes a good leg save then another

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17:56: Trocheck tries to force the issue in Germany's zone, but is called for tripping. Back to 5-on-3

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18:15: Biggs called for charging. Penalty kill goes back to work, it's Jones, Trouba, Pietila and Bardreau on the ice

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19:24: They didn't score, but leave the ice for Grimaldi Miller and Gaudreau, who start the cycle.

Start of Third Period: USA 6 - GER 0

Can lightning strike a third time? Galchenyuk, Kuraly and Barber take the opening faceoff coming off two goals that opened the first two periods in the first 20 seconds.

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Ten U.S. players have registered points so far. Galchenyuk (3), Barber (3), Kuraly (2), Pietila (2), Jones, Grimaldi, Trouba, Gostisbehere, Bardreau, Hartman

Shots are 34-19 favoring U.S. Gibson has 19 saves, 5 of them on a 5-on-3 penalty kill

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Does anyone have any questions about the team, tournament, city?

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End of 2nd Period: USA 6 - GER 0

Barber scored just 14 seconds into the period and the U.S. never looked back. Good tempo and of note is that aside from the 5-on-3, which Gibson used as a personal highlight reel, they dominated play. Back in a bit with stats and more. Share your thoughts in the comments area at right.

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00:52: Offsides call on Germany. USA's Trocheck, Biggs and Lucia on the ice with Trouba and Gostisbehere with the period ticking away

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2:41: Jones slapper low to the glove side is snagged. He's out there with Gostisbehere, Bardreau Miller and Grimaldi

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Philly: Live stats here: http://www.iihf.com/channels1213/wm20/statistics.html

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3:58: Now it's Germany who is called for hooking. They are replaying Gibson's saves on the big screen, two leg saves were particularly impressive. Good start for the goaltender.

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5:00: Gibson put on a show with 5, maybe 6 saves on very good chances to kill the penalty.

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6:52: Now it's McCabe who is called for holding and the U.S. has to kill of a 5-on-3. Now it's Jones, Trocheck and Reilly

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7:21: Trouba loses the puck and slashes the German player to prevent an odd-man rush. Bardreau, Pietila, Murphy and McCabe on the PK

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7:40: During a timeout for a skate change for one of the officials, I've spotted the first USA jersey in the building. The crowd gives a big cheer when the skate is tied and play resumes

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7:58: Grimaldi stickhandles through a couple defenders then even retains the puck from his knees twice. Correction to the Gostisbehere goal, they added an assist for Grimaldi

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8:59: Miller drops a big hit then Gibson makes a save. USA has really controlled play this period. The Germans found a groove late in the first though so let's see if they do so again or if the Americans can keep them stuck mostly in their zone.

USA 6 - GER 0

10:49 - A golden chance for the U.S. with a 3-on-2, but Cupper stuffs a point blank chance by Barber on the doorstep off the feed from Galchenyuk

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12:05: GOAL! Bardreau picks up a loose puck in the neutral zone and flips the puck to Pietila for a wrist shot that Cupper kicked away, but straight to Hartman who buried the rebound top shelf.

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USA 5 - GER 0

They are giving the goal to Gostisbehere, who nets the first power play goal of the tournament for the U.S. Jones with the lone assist

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13:27: GOAL! Trouba keeps the puck in the zone then Jones comes off the bench on the line change, fakes a shot and feeds Gostisbehere at the top of the right faceoff circle. The defenseman blasts a one-timer and it finds the top corner. Might have been deflected

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14:03: Germany turns the U.S. away with four across the blue line twice before Miller breaks the blockade and starts the cycle

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14:54: Another tripping call on Germany. Galchenyuk, Kuraly and Barber on the powerplay again

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16:19: Bardreau shows off some puck skills and dekes his way around a defender and on net, the shot deflects high but out of harms way. Good effort

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17:22: Reilly sneaks in from the point but a pass can't connect, then his D partner Jones fires a shot. Lots of action in the offensive zone for USA all game.

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18:40: Biggs, Trocheck and Lucia take the ice and start to cycle but Kreschmann goes sliding into his net and knocks it loose.

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That is Galchenyk's third point of the night (1 G - 2A) and now each forward on the line has a goal.

USA 4 - GER 0

19:46: GOAL! They do it again! Galchenyuk collects a loose puck behind the net after Germany's captain Kronthaler lost his footing and Barber buried the puck five hole on the feed from behind the net. That line scored even quicker than the first period.

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Shots on goal were 14-9 with the U.S. leading in the category. No powerplay goals for the Americans despite three chances. Let's see if another quick start is in the books this period. Housley sends out Galchenyuk, Kuraly and Barber to start with Jones and Reilly at the point

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Keep the comments coming. I'm stepping away for a quick break but I'll be back with some first period stats.

Period 1 Ends: USA 3 - GER 0

Housley has to be happy with the fast start, Kuraly's goal less than 20 seconds into the game, and even has to be pleased that even though the Germans had some quality shots on net Gibson stood strong. Overall a solid effort to open the tournament.

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00:39: PK ends

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1:36 - It's McCabe, Murphy Bardreau and Pietila on the ice and they clear the puck ... now it's Trocheck, Jones Trouba and Biggs. A save off the mask by Gibson and they clear ... back in the U.S. zone and a flashy glove save stops the Germans.

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2:41 - Kuraly had speed through the neutral zone but lost the puck and then is called for cross checking the opponent who stepped in front. First PK for USA

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3:29 - A good shot through traffic from the point on Gibson, he makes the save and Reilly clears the puck away from the slot.

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4:11 - The Germans finally have a chance to cycle in the U.S. zone, but the American defense is very responsible and doesn't chase on the Olympic sized sheet.

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5:00: Galchenyuk, Kuraly and Barber line back out for a draw in the U.S. zone, the U.S. wins the draw, but the puck finds a German stick and goes straight in the air off of a Gibson save, Germany's Sekesi gloved the puck into the net. The officials ruled no goal, but it's under review .. CONFIRMED: No goal

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6:22: Germany had a chance to move into the slot and Trouba shut it down with a huge hit. The Germans finally get a good shot on Gibson, but he proves that the inactivity hasn't been an issue and makes the save.

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Galchenyuk's goal is the type that Sarnia Sting fans have become used to, lightning fast release and deadly accurate. A media member said they didn't see the jersey number, but knew it was No. 15 based simply on the speed of the shot.

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8:14: Kuraly and Galchenyk nearly connect on back door passes twice, but the puck skips past the open man. Power play ends

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8:26 - Shot off the net, faceoff stays in Germany zone

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8:50 - Miller, Gaudreau and Grimaldi on the power play with Jones and Gostisbehere

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9:42: Galchenyuk then draws an interference penalty at center ice and the U.S. goes gack on the power play.

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USA 3 - GER 0

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10:15: GOAL: Galchenyuk gathers the puck and walks into the high slot where he snipes a wrist shot top corner for the goal. He started the play by stealing the puck and then wheeling around the top of the circle before shooting.

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11:20: Pietila gets the lone assist on the goal.

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USA 2 - GER 0

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11:30: GOAL! Hartman jumped the play to keep the puck in the zone and it ultimately led to a Trouba wrist shot from the point through traffic that beat the goaltender near post.

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Kuraly's goal is a continuation of his strong play at the Junior Evaluation Camp this summer. He has a good offensive presence and coaches hope that scoring streak continues.

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12:31: Germany penalty ends and they tried to catch a break into the U.S. zone with a lob pass but it was tapped down with a high stick.

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14:23 - Trouba and Reilly on the point with Reilly, Barber and Galchenyuk on the PP ... couple good shots so far

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15:00 - Vesey on the ice with Biggs and Trochek and then Hartman comes off the bench and draws another tripping penalty on Germany's Kronthaler.

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Housley sent out Kuraly, Reilly, Galchenyk, Trouba and Barber ... nothing going first go around then Miller Gardreau and Grimaldi with Gostisbehere and Jones can't find the net. Powerplay ends

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17:30 - A chance for the Germans who had a possible 2-on-0, but couldn't catch up to the puck before Gibson cleared around his net. Four seconds later, Kahun from Germany called for tripping and the USA goes on the power play

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17:56: Gostisbehere starts the play in the U.S. zone, but a bobbled puck at the German blue line puts the Americans offside.

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19:01 - Puck frozen in Germany end and J.T. Miller mixes it up a little with a defender.

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USA 1 - GER 0

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19:41 - GOAL! USA needed a fast start and scores within the first 20 seconds. Kuraly slips the puck in five hole after collecting a pass entering the zone. The play started in the neutral zone when Galchenyuk gathered a loose puck and slid it to Kuraly open unabated to the goaltender

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20:00: We're underway! Housley started Galchenyuk, Kuraly and Barber with Reilly and Jones. USA wins the faceoff

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First Period: USA 0 - GER 0 - 20:00

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1 min. until puck drop: Not a big crowd on hand so far, but some people still taking their seats. Starting lineups announcemens wrapping up, then it's finally game time!

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3 min. until puck drop: The teams are on the ice! Canadian cheers for the Germans but some applause for the USA as well in the crowd.

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10 min. until puck drop: All of the ice crews are off and we are in the last countdown for the puck drop.

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The U.S. has a quick turnaround after tonight's game. Less than 24 hours from the end of the game against Germany, Team USA will play host Russia in front of what will for sure be a wild crowd. Housley spoke yesterday of giving his players proper rest prior to the tournament so they would be ready for the back to back games.

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20 min. until puck drop: Warmups are over. Teams head back to the locker room where they'll get final instructions. Fans are still making their way in from the snowy streets of Ufa and some are sporting thunder sticks and hockey jerseys. There is a section of Canadian fans across from the press row. I have yet to spot a USA jersey.

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Let's start the conversation off with a question: Where's everyone at? Work? Home? And are you watching online or on TV? (Comments at right >> )

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30 min. until puck drop: USA has the rest advantage with Germany coming off a game against Canada last night, which they lost 9-3. Housley has emphasized the importance of a quick start, both to the game as well as the tournament.

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40 min. until puck drop - The teams take the ice to warmups. Germany is in black jerseys and Team USA will wear white. Due to locker room logistics, the U.S. is in a temporary locker room for the game that is closer to the main rink. The permanent locker room is next to the practice rink, which is inside the same building but a walk through the halls away. See a high-speed video of the walk between the main locker room and rink here.

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55 min. until puck drop - The music is pumping here in Ufa Arena and the fans are starting to trickle in. It's a beautiful facility and the crowd was loud last night so we expect a good game atmosphere. Housley said he thinks his players are nervous, but excited to play a game finally.

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7 p.m. Local (Ufa, Russia) - We're one hour before game time and Team USA is in the locker room making final preparations before its first game against Germany.

Coach Phil Housley has posted his lines for the night. The U.S. can add an extra defenseman, but for now has decided to stick with six players at the position.

In goal will be John Gibson with John Gillies as the backup.

Defensive pairings: Murphy-McCabe, Jones-Reilly, Trouba-Gostisbehere

Forward lines: Kuraly-Galchenyuk-Barber, Miller-Gaudreau-Grimaldi, Lucia-Biggs-Trocheck, Bardreau-Pietila-Harman ... Vesey will be the 13th forward.

Line Charts and Game Notes available here