Team USA claimed gold for the first time since 2017 at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships with the help of six Mass natives. With a 2-0 score over northern rival Canada, the boys in red, white and blue captured the fifth first-place finish in USA Hockey history (2004, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2021) with victories over Slovakia (4-0), Finland (4-3) and preliminary wins against Finland (3-2), Austria (11-0) and the Czech Republic. The lone loss at the tournament came in the second preliminary game when the U.S. fell to Russia, 5-3.
See below how our #MassProud players fared.
Boldy really put himself on the map. One of Team USA's top three forwards, he finished the tournament with five goals and seven points and was a plus-three, good for 12th overall in the entire tournament.
Umm. Guys. I think Paul Fenton was right about Matt Boldy, too. pic.twitter.com/R2DdH1mKTv
— Dane Mizutani (@DaneMizutani) January 5, 2021
The University of Michigan forward looked outstanding in his play with Team USA. He put up three points (one goal, two assists) and was a plus-three at the end of the tournament.
Matthew Beniers is the type of player who looks better and better the closer you watch him. I love his competitiveness, pacing and attention to detail, but he can also show some impressive flashes of skill now and again. Just watch this end-to-end rush and OZ setup@FCHockey pic.twitter.com/VDi59wOl2X
— Derek Neumeier (@Derek_N_NHL) January 1, 2021
Colangelo saw plenty of ice time and made some nifty plays to help Team USA in a variety of situations throughout the tournament. The Northeastern forward had one goal and was plus-one.
Sam Colangelo, with traffic out front, turns and fires one on net. Hugo Alnefelt makes the save, despite some contact from Brendan Brisson. #USAWJC #WorldJuniors #LetsGoDucks #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/ae2d29L4LI
— Stars n’ Stripes Hockey (@StarsStripesHKY) January 1, 2021
The Providence College forward showed good hands and solid hockey smarts on the ice with Team USA.
He had two assists and was a plus-one at the conclusion.
Providence College's Patrick Moynihan after winning gold at the World Juniors:
— Ian Steele (@IanSteeleABC6) January 6, 2021
"It's always a blast with these guys. I come to the rink smiling every day."@ABC6 #GoFriars @pmoynihan19 pic.twitter.com/fkNxSSUle6
Thrun was one of the U.S.' top defenseman in the tournament, playing an aggressive offensive defense style and finding success.
The current Dubuque Fighting Saint was plus-six on the tournament, contributing one assist.
We can't forget about the coach! Donato was an assistant on this year's bench, supporting head coach Nate Leaman in all aspects.
This was the Harvard University head coach's first time on the U.S. National Junior staff
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