Ryan O’Reilly helps Canada capture the top seed in Group B.
By Jourdon LaBarber / Sabres.com
In a game that saw Team USA earn six power plays before they finally cashed in for a goal, it was with the man advantage that gave the U.S. the final edge in their 5-3 victory over Russia in the IIHF World Championship in Cologne, Germany on Tuesday.
Jack Eichel earned the secondary assist on Anders Lee’s game-winning goal, which broke a 3-3 tie with 7:03 remaining in the third period. Eichel passed across the net through traffic to Johnny Gaudreau, who quickly moved the puck back across to find Lee for the tap-in at the back door.
Brock Nelson scored an empty-net goal to seal the win with 22 seconds remaining.
With the win, Team USA has clinched the top seed in Group A entering the quarterfinal round.
O’Reilly nets two points as Canada clinches top spot in Group B
Ryan O’Reilly extended his point streak to three games with a goal and an assist as Canada defeated Norway 5-0 in Paris, France on Monday. With the victory, the Canadians have clinched the top seed in Group B entering quarterfinal play.
Canada outshot Norway 48-10 and scored four of its five goals on the power play. Brayden Schenn opened the scoring with the extra man with 2:12 remaining in the first period, and O’Reilly assisted on the first of Colton Parayko’s two power-play goals less than a minute later.
Mark Scheifele scored the only even-strength goal of the game for Canada, and he assisted on O’Reilly’s power-play marker to cap the scoring with 2:40 remaining in the third.
Nathan MacKinnon tallied three assists for Canada, extending his team-leading point total to 11 5+6).
O’Reilly now has three goals and an assist in his last three games and five points (4+1) total. In addition to the two points he did tally on Monday, he also had an unsuccessful penalty shot.