Illustration: teamusa.usahockey.com

Preparation for Quarterfinals

As the U.S. National Junior Team prepares for the quarterfinal match against Finland, head coach Bob Motzko expresses his excitement and confidence in the team's readiness. The team's performance in the preliminary round has been strong, finishing second in Group A with three wins out of four games. Motzko acknowledges the challenge posed by Finland and emphasizes the importance of the team being at their best to secure success in the upcoming match.

Key Players and Matchup History

In the history of matchups between the U.S. and Finland, Team USA holds a slight advantage with 20 wins, 19 losses, and 1 tie in their 40 previous encounters. The rivalry between the two teams has often resulted in closely contested games, with eight of the last ten matchups being decided by a single goal. Will Zellers leads the U.S. team in points and goals, showcasing his offensive prowess and ability to make a significant impact on the game.

Goalie Selection and Performance

Nick Kempf has been chosen to start in goal for Team USA in the quarterfinal match against Finland. Kempf has demonstrated his skill and reliability in previous games, including making crucial saves in the team's victory over Switzerland. With a stellar 1.54 goals against average and a .934 save percentage in the World Juniors so far, Kempf's presence in goal provides a strong foundation for the team's defense as they face off against Finland.