“We’re excited for the quarterfinals and I know our group will be ready,” said Bob Motzko, head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team and also the head coach of the University of Minnesota men’s ice hockey team. “Finland is an excellent team and we’ll need to be at our best to have success.”
Team USA finished second in Group A, winning three of its four preliminary round games. The only blemish for the U.S. came on New Year’s Eve with Sweden gaining a 6-3 win. Finland went 2-2 in the preliminary round and in its last game dropped a 7-4 decision to Canada on Wednesday (Dec. 31).
The U.S. and Finland have met 40 previous times, with Team USA having a slight 20-19-1 advantage. Of the last 10 games in the series, eight have been decided by just single goal.
Will Zellers paces the U.S. in points and goals with 5-2—7. He is tied for the tournament lead in goals and tied for fifth in points. Brodie Ziemer (1-6—7), James Hagens (2-3—5) and Chase Reid (2-2—4) and AJ Spellacy (1-3—4) are next on the U.S. scoring chart.
Nick Kempf will get the start in goal for Team USA. He played the third period in Wednesday’s game vs. Sweden and also made 16 saves on 17 shots in a 2-1 win over Switzerland on Dec. 27. The Morton Grove, Illinois, native owns a 1.54 goals against average and .934 save percentage in 77:58 of action to date in the World Juniors.
