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Montreal Canadiens: 24 Thoughts On Jacob Fowler's World Junior Debut

By Tyler Major-Mcnicol |
United States of America v Canada: 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship
United States of America v Canada: 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship / Minas Panagiotakis/GettyImages
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Team USA took to the ice on Thursday morning for their second game of the World Junior Hockey Championships against Team Switzerland.

Captain Rutger McGroarty and the American squad are looking to follow up their 4-1 win against the Norwegians on the opening day of the tournament. Norway caught the United States a bit off guard, but I fully expect they won't treat today's game the same way. And rightfully so, the Swiss shouldn't be taken lightly, despite having a less talented roster than in recent years.

The Americans will go with the same lineup, because why fix what isn't broken? All signs point to Montreal Canadiens 2023 Draft prospect Jacob Fowler getting the call between the pipes. In what can be an unpredictable tournament, there are often upsets, so expect the Americans to be firing on all cylinders.

Here are my 24 thoughts on the American-Swiss matchup.

First Period

McGroarty - Gauthier - Snuggerud got the nod for the opening draw, with Hutson - Casey on the first defence pairing. Hutson made a nifty pass to Casey, and he had a nice chance. Then Smith won a faceoff in the offensive zone, Leonard worked it to Buium who passed the puck and to Smith - 1-0 USA.

Just about two minutes later, Snuggerud scored on a nice passing play from Gauthier and McGroarty. Leonard has two points on the American's first two goals. After a nice tournament opener, Leonard had no goals to show for his effort, he fixed that problem quickly today.

Hutson was quiet against the Norwegians, but that hasn't followed him into his game two performance. The pace of the game has been very up-tempo, and that has played in Hutson's favour. It's early, but I have a feeling he will have a big game.

It's especially promising to see Smith get going, Perreault is firing some quality shots on the net and Leonard has looked great. Two-thirds of the Boston College line have a point less than halfway into the period. With the top line playing well, the Americans could benefit from a two-line monster in their top six.

Snuggerud had the Swiss goalie feeling good after making a save and forcing a faceoff. Snuggerud, however, jumped on a loose puck after Gauthier won the faceoff. After a couple of quick feints, he fired it home - 3-0 USA.

After a weird one, Team Switzerland winger Gregory Weber put a thorn into the American's onslaught. He fired home a perfect shot past Fowler. 3-1 lead for Team USA.

It's safe to say with just under eight minutes to play in the period, the Americans are not sitting back at all. Snuggerud capped off the natural hat trick after another strong faceoff win by Gauthier. McGroarty poked the puck to Snuggerud, and it's 4-1. Cristobal Huet's son went into the net to relieve Lorin Gruter.

Switzerland to the sin bin for two minutes or less - Daniil Ustinkov for tripping. USA had a flurry of chances by Ewan Huet was tall to the task. Buium watched a little Hutson tape, finishing off a brilliant effort from the blueline in and he did the rest - four assists in the first for Gauthier.

Second Period

Five minutes into the second period, and while USA is still playing fast, it appears the Swiss had a long intermission to think about their first period. The Swiss have more pep in their step, but Fowler has been a brick wall since letting in the Weber goal.

Brindley came into the zone as a second layer and waited in the wings for a feed from Nazar. Huet had no time to react before Brindley's shot was already past him. 6-1 for Team USA, just under six minutes into the period.

The majority of the American roster is occupied by NHL-drafted talents. Minus Buium who is a top prospect for the 2024 Draft. But let's just say it's pretty safe to assume he will be off the board early in June.

Swiss penalty for slashing while down 6-1, just seems like playing with fire. Hutson hasn't emerged yet, and the USA has a brilliant powerplay, which has been quiet today so far. Leonard did what he does best, he took a pass from Brindley and drove it straight to the net, and past Huet. 7-1.

Not long after that, barely halfway through the game, Brindley double-dipped again. After two goals against Latvia, Brindley has continued scoring. The hat trick watch is on again, after Snuggerud's in the first period.

Fowler hasn't been tested all that much, but he has answered the bell when the Swiss are around the net. He also has an assist on Brindley's second goal of the game and period. Fowler has been calm, cool and collected through the first 25 minutes of the game.

On a delayed penalty call with Fowler on the bench, USA took advantage of the extra man. Howard was the latest beneficiary of the American's swarming attack on the Swiss. He fired a nice shot past Huet. Only the fourth line has yet to find the score sheet - Nelson - Hayes - Finley.

Third Period

I ran out of thoughts before the end of the middle frame, but Snuggerud took a high sticking penalty. The final two minutes of the frame, the Swiss pushed for their second of the game. The U.S. penalty killers, and perhaps their best penalty killer - Jacob Fowler, stood tall.

Snuggerud was the story of the first period and Brindley for the second - who's next? With the American still having a bit of penalty time to kill, Fowler started the period strong for his team. He helped kill of the penalty swimmingly.

Fowler left a little too much space open under his arm, and Swiss seventh defenseman Gael Christe. It's not as though it's a huge goal, but it doesn't hurt the confidence. Nice shot from Christe, quick and accurate.

Huet stopped nice individual efforts by Nazar, then Nazar sent Brindley in on a partial breakaway. Despite the score, Huet has continued to compete, showing shades of his Dad. McGroarty took a high shoulder to his head, and the Americans are off to the powerplay.

With 14:52 in the third, USA's man advantage just expired, but it was an opportunity to give their second unit some reps. Finley received a nice feed from Nazar, and it was off his tape and in the net almost instantly. Nazar has been dangerous the whole game. Every line has a goal now.

Switzerland missed on their first try, but the puck came back around to the net. Swiss forward Thierry Schild who was parked in front potted a quick shot. Third goal on the board for Switzerland.

USA powerplay at the 5:39 mark of the period, with the Americans up 10-3. Pohlkamp received a nice feed from Nazar, who was the beneficiary of a nice two-foot pass by Finley. 11-3 USA with under five to go in the game.

Buium got caught reaching, and the Swiss are off to a powerplay, but no bueno. Snuggerud was named the best player of the game for the U.S. The St. Louis Blues 2022 23 overall draft pick scored three goals and was an offensive driver.

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