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| Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images |
Team USA took on a pesky Team Finland and finished with a 3-2 win in its first game in defending its title on Sunday.
Team USA 3,Team Finland 2
Game Notes: Team USA vs. Team Finland
2011 WJHC - Team USA and Team Canada face off on opposite ends of bracket
Carolina Hurricanes fans - one-stop watching
Carolina Hurricanes fans got a special opportunity to watch all of their team's prospects during the USA/Finland match-up. All four players - Brian Dumoulin (USA), Justin Faulk (USA), Rasmus Rissanen (Finland), Tommi Kivisto (Finland) - are defensemen and provide a look at the future of the the Hurricanes blue line corps. As the Carolina offensive corps has grown in depth, so too will the defensive roster. The WJHC provide the opportunity for these players to compete in a high-profile tournament while trying to win a gold medal for their country and gaining valuable experience to further their development.
2011 WJHC: Carolina Hurricanes prospects battle in Team USA win over Finland
Quality of play
Play so far has not disappointed as games have been fast, hard hitting, and providing fans more than enough excitement to cheer for. As the tournament progresses each team's goaltenders will become the focal of each game as they will make the difference in their respective teams' success. Soft goals will end a team's chances of getting to the medal round very quickly.
NHL prospect watch at the WJHC
Anaheim:
Sami Vatanen - D, Finland
Igor Bobkov - G, Russia
Kyle Palmieri - F, USA
Emerson Etem - F, USA
Atlanta:
Fredrik Petersson-Wentzel - G, Sweden
Carl Klingberg - F, Sweden
Boston:
NA
Buffalo:
Zack Kassian - F, Canada
Marcus Foligno - F, Canada
Calgary:
Joni Ortio - G, Finland
Tim Erixon - D, Sweden
John Ramage - D, USA
Carolina:
Tommi Kivisto - D, Finland
Rasmus Rissanen - D, Finland
Brian Dumoulin - D, USA
Justin Faulk - D, USA
Chicago:
Dylan Olsen - D, Canada
Mirko Hofflin - F, Germany
Nick Leddy - D, USA
Jeremy Morin - F, USA
Colorado:
Tyson Barrie - D, Canada
Sami Aittokallio - G, Finland
Columbus:
Ryan Johansen - F, Canada
Petr Straka - F, Czech Rep.
Dallas:
John Klingberg - D, Sweden
Jack Campbell - G, USA
Detroit:
Andrej Nestrasil - F, Czech Rep.
Teemu Pulkinnen - F, Finland
Calle Jarnkrok - F, Sweden
Mitch Callahan - F, USA
Edmonton:
Olivier Roy - G, Canada
Curtis Hamilton - F, Canada
Toni Rajala - F, Finland
Martin Marincin - D, Slovakia
Anton Lander - F, Sweden
Florida:
Erik Gudbranson - D, Canada
Quinton Howden - F, Canada
Joonas Donskoi - F, Finland
Nick Bjugstad - F, USA
Los Angeles:
Brayden Schenn - F, Canada
Maxim Kitsyn - F, Russia
Derek Forbort - D, USA
Minnesota:
Erik Haula - F, Finland
Johan Larsson - F, Sweden
Jason Zucker - F, USA
Montreal:
Louis Leblanc - F, Canada
Joonas Nattinen - F, Finland
Nashville:
Ryan Ellis - D, Canada
Patrick Cehlin - F, Sweden
New Jersey:
Jon Merrill - D, USA
NY Islanders:
Calvin de Haan - D, Canada
Casey Cizikas - F, Canada
Nino Niederreiter - F, Switzerland
Brock Nelson - F, USA
NY Rangers:
Roman Horak - F, Czech Rep.
Jasper Fasth - F, Sweden
Ryan Bourque - F, USA
Chris Kreider - F, USA
Ottawa:
Jared Cowen - D, Canada
Robin Lehner - G, Sweden
Philadelphia:
NA
Phoenix:
Mark Visentin - G, Canada
Oscar Lindberg - F, Sweden
Chris Brown - F, USA
Pittsburgh:
Simon Despres - D, Canada
Tom Kuhnhackel - F, Germany
San Jose:
Konrad Abeltshauser - D, Germany
Charlie Coyle - F, USA
St.Louis:
Jaden Schwartz - F, Canada
Vladimir Tarasenko - F, Russia
Sebastian Wannstrom - F, Sweden
Tampa Bay:
Carter Ashton - F, Canada
Brett Connolly - F, Canada
Adam Janosik - D, Slovakia
Richard Panik - F, Slovakia
Toronto:
Sondre Olden - F, Norway
Jerry D'Amigo - F, USA
Vancouver:
NA
Washington:
Cody Eakin - F, Canada
Philipp Grabauer - G, Germany
Dmitri Orlov - D, Russia
Yevgeni Kuznetsov - F, Russia
Patrick Wey - D, USA
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