As if Vancouver Canucks fans didnB次元官网网址檛 already love top prospect Quinn Hughes, last yearB次元官网网址檚 first round pick gave them even more reason to anticipate what he will add when he leaves school and comes to the NHL.
Hughes, the ultra-talented United States defenceman who was wearing the B次元官网网址楥B次元官网网址� for the Americans, set up a pair of first period goals, didnB次元官网网址檛 back down when challenged physically throughout the game and then dropped the gloves in the third period with the Czech RepublicB次元官网网址檚 Jakob Lauko, earning a pair of minors and 10-minute misconduct to end his night prematurely.
The last hit in question also happened to be against his younger brother Jack Hughes, the top-ranked prospect for the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
It all made for an eventful night as Team USA defeated the Czech Republic 6-2 on Saturday night at Langley Events Centre in the Lordco Auto Parts Road to the World Juniors.
The IIHF World Junior Championship gets underway December 26 and runs until January 5 at VancouverB次元官网网址檚 Rogers Arena and VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
B次元官网网址淢e and him were going at it the entire game and I saw him hit a couple of other guys a little dirty and I didnB次元官网网址檛 appreciate that too much,B次元官网网址� Quinn Hughes told the media following the game.
Known more for his offensive prowess B次元官网网址� the University of Michigan sophomore leads all NCAA defencemen in assists and is second in points this season B次元官网网址� Hughes said as today showed, heB次元官网网址檚 not afraid to mix it up when necessary.
But his offensive game B次元官网网址� his bread and butter B次元官网网址� was on full display, especially in the first period.
Forty seconds in, he intercepted a pass in the Czech zone and fed a wide-open Oliver Wahlstrom, with the New York Islanders prospect burying the puck past goaltender Jakub Skarek. Less than three minutes later, the Hughes brothers teamed up to set up Wahlstrom again for the 2-0 lead.
Phil Kemp capped off a dominating period, making it 3-0 on a blast from the blue-line, as the U.S. finished with a 20-2 shots on goal advantage.
The Czech Republic had a couple of good chances to open the second while on a power play but shortly after the man-advantage expired, Jakub Lauko was able to slip the puck past American goaltender Kyle Keyser.
The U.S. would restore the three-goal advantage courtesy of a powerB次元官网网址攑lay marker from Ottawa Senators prospect Josh Norris and then in the final seconds of the period, Sasha Chmelevski was in all alone and made a great deke for the 5-1 lead.
The final period saw each team score once. Carolina Hurricanes prospect Filip Zadina cut the deficit to 5-2 on a power play before Ty Emberson scored short-handed for the 6-2 final score.
Shots on goal were 44-21 for the United States.
B次元官网网址淲e kind of clogged up the neutral zone and we played good defensive hockey,B次元官网网址� Quinn Hughes said, especially about the first period when their opponent managed just a pair of shots on goal. B次元官网网址淎nd I thought we were resilient. We had a great start and then cooled off in the second period but in the third, I thought we were really good.B次元官网网址�
The Americans also had the bulk of the 4,000 fans at Langley Events Centre on their side which helped create a considerable buzz in the building, something he noticed.
B次元官网网址淚t was fun having the crowd behind you. It makes me more excited about my position (with the Canucks) here,B次元官网网址� he said.
