2020 World Juniors: USA Eliminated in Quarterfinals

PRELIMINARY ROUND:
QUARTERFINALS: FINLAND 1, USA 0
By Cory Wright
Oliver Wahlstrom, Jake Pivonka and Team USA were eliminated at the 2020 World Junior Hockey Championship on Tuesday,
as they were shut out 1-0 by Finland
in quarterfinal action.
Joonas Oden scored the lone goal of the game at 4:43 of the third period, sending Finland to the semis, and Team USA home without a medal for the first time since 2015. Team USA had won a gold, a silver and two bronze medals during a four-year run.

Wahlstrom finished the tournament with five points (1G, 4A) in five games, while Pivonka recorded one assist in five contests.
The semi-finals will take place on Saturday, with the gold and bronze medal games taking place on Sunday. Matchups will be determined later today.

DEC 30: USA 4, CZECH REPUBLIC 3 OT
By Sasha Kandrach
Team USA advanced to the World Junior Hockey Championsip Quarterfinals after
defeating Team Czech Republic 4-3 in overtime
on Monday afternoon.
Islanders prospect Oliver Wahlstrom recorded his fourth assist of the tournament on Shane Pinto's first period goal. Wahlstrom skated alongside Pinto and Nick Robertson where he logged 21:00 time on ice and compiled a team-high six shots on goal.

Islanders prospect Jacob Pivonka skated alongside Bobby Brink, Curtis Hall and rotated with Parker Ford. Pivonka logged 8:16 time on ice and had one shot on net.
With the victory, Team USA improved its record to 2-1-0-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L) and will finish as the first or second seed in Group B as they advance to the tournament quarterfinals which will take place on Jan. 2.

DEC. 29: USA 3, RUSSIA 1
By Sasha Kandrach
Team USA took over first place of Group B standings
with a 3-1 win over Team Russia on Sunday afternoon
. Team USA never trailed against Team Russia and improved its record to 2-0-0-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L). Team USA scored its first and second goal just six seconds a part in the second period.
Islanders prospect Oliver Wahlstrom logged 15:36 time on ice and recorded one assist to finish the night plus-one. Wahlstrom skated alongside Nick Robertson and Shane Pinto. Wahlstrom assisted on Robertson's second period goal that wound up being the game-winning goal.

Jacob Pivonka played 7:48 against Team Russia. The winger skated alongside Bobby Brink, Curtis Hall and rotated in with Parker Ford.

Wahlstrom now has four points (1G, 3A) in three games for Team USA, while Pivonka has one assist in three contests.

Wahlstrom and Pivonka return to action on Monday as Team USA takes on Team Czech Republic (1-0-0-1) at 1 p.m. ET in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

DEC 27: USA 6, GERMANY 3
By Sasha Kandrach
Oliver Wahlstrom and Jacob Pivonka helped Team USA rally from behind to
double up Team Germany 6-3 on Friday afternoon
.
Wahlstrom posted a two-point showing as the winger potted his first goal of the tournament in the third period and assisted on Bobby Brink's third period goal.
Wahlstrom skated on Team USA's top line alongside Nick Robertson and Shane Pinto. Wahlstrom logged 14:34 time on ice and had a team-high five shots.
Pivonka assisted on Team USA's game-deciding goal in the second period. The winger logged 9:27 time on ice and skated alongside Trevor Zegras and Curtis Hall.
Team USA next faces Team Russia on Dec. 29 at 1 pm ET on NHL Network.

DEC 26: CANADA 6, USA 4
By Cory Wright
Oliver Wahlstrom, Jake Pivonka and Team USA opened the 2020 World Junior Hockey Championship
with a 6-4 loss to Canada
on Thursday afternoon.
Wahlstrom had one assist and five shots on goal in 18:39 TOI. The Isles' 2018 first-round pick dished the primary helper on Nicholas Robertson's goal to make it 4-3 in the third period, as Team USA mounted a comeback bid. Team USA eventually tied the score 4-4, but Canada pulled away with 3:11 to play.
Pivonka played 8:47, with no shots, but won six-of-nine faceoffs.
Team USA is back in action on Friday as they take on Germany at 1 p.m. eastern time.