Team USA Falls to Russia on Day 1 of 2021 World Juniors

The United States fell 5-3 to Russia in its first game of the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, on Friday.
Colorado Avalanche prospect Drew Helleson picked up an assist and finished the contest with a plus-1 rating in 11:48 of ice time.

The teams each tallied in the first period before Team Russia found the back of the net three more times in the middle frame. Helleson's helper came in the third stanza when he shot the puck from the point, and John Farinacci collected the rebound and scored to make the score 4-2.
The United States pulled its goaltender while on a late power play and tallied to cut Russia's lead to 4-3, but Yegor Chinakhov sent the puck into an empty net with 21 seconds remaining in regulation to seal the win for Russia.
Team USA continues preliminary-round play in Group B on Saturday evening against Austria at Rogers Place.