Team USA Tops Finland, 4-1, at the 2011 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp

Press Release

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. -- Shane Prince (Spencerport, N.Y.) scored twice and Vince Trocheck (Pittsburgh, Pa.) logged two assists, as Team USA defeated Finland, 4-1, at the 2011 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp.

The contest featured 22 of the 29 U.S. players currently participating in the camp and auditioning for a spot on the U.S. National Junior Team that will take part in the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2011-Jan. 5, 2012, in Calgary and Edmonton, Alta.

"I was pleased with how we rebounded following yesterday's loss to Sweden.," said Dean Blais, head coach of the 2012 U.S. National Junior Team. "These guys have one more game and a couple of practices to really show their stuff."

Finland jumped out to an early 1-0 lead at 1:39 of the first period when Joel Armia capitalized off of an odd-man rush.

But Nick Bjugstad (Blaine, Minn.) scored his first goal of the camp to tie the game at 1-1 midway through the first period. Jason Zucker (Las Vegas, Nev.) won a one-on-one battle behind the net and found Bjugstad at the left faceoff circle, where he quickly released a shot over the shoulder of Finland netminder Sami Aittokallio.

Prince potted his first goal of the night at 9:06 of the second period. After a strong shift in the offensive zone, Prince planted himself in front of the net and tipped in a point shot from defenseman Seth Jones (Plano, Texas).


Prince struck again at 16:21 of the middle frame with a seeing-eye shot from a sharp angle. Trocheck won a foot race to the corner and gained possession of the puck following a dump in by Brian Ferlin (Jacksonville, Fla.). Prince collected the puck behind the net and skated past the goal line before quickly releasing a wrist shot that found the back of the net.

J.T. Miller (East Palestine, Ohio) tacked on an empty-net goal with 1:28 remaining to seal the win for Team USA. With the victory, the U.S. improved to 1-0-0-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L) since its roster was trimmed on Tuesday.

Andy Iles (Ithaca, N.Y.) made 25 saves to earn the victory, while Aittokallio stopped 24 shots in the loss.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)