December 26, 2010

BUFFALO, N.Y. - The U.S. Junior National Team and Finland played out their opening game Sunday night like two poker players dedicated to controlling the game and letting the opponent make the first mistake.

There were moments of thrilling excitement mixed in, but overall the game boiled down to which team could resist the waves of momentum longest.

Team USA was happy with the outcome, a 3-2 overtime victory, but also with how it stuck to its game plan throughout the game no matter the changes on the scoreboard.

"The big thing is that we were able to make the big play at the big time," said U.S. head coach Keith Allain.

Finland gave the defending champions fits all night with a tight defensive system that took away scoring chances. The shot totals favored Finland 34-30 for the game and the Finns dominated a series of shifts in the second period.

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