USA defeats Canada in World Junior tournament opener

Louie Belpedio and Auston Matthews scored 41 seconds apart in the third period to lead USA to a 4-2 victory over Canada in their 2016 World Junior Championship opening contest.

Third Period

USA wins the opening game 4-2.

Canada pulls their goaltender.

Auston Matthews taps home a loose puck to give USA a 4-2 lead at 17:23.

Louie Belpedio's shot is deflected by a Canadian defender and into the net for USA at 16:42: 3-2

Auston Matthews hits the crossbar from just inside the Canadian zone, game remains tied.

Canada's Dylan Strome ties the game at 2-2 on the power play at 10:45.

Zach Werenski called for a slashing penalty at 9:35 to send Canada to the PP.

Zach Werenski fires home a power play goal from the point at 7:22 to give USA a 2-1 lead

Canada's John Quenneville takes a minor penalty for goaltender interference.

Canada and USA begin period at full strength

Second Period:

End of the second period, shots Canada 10 (15), USA 10 (14).

Colin White slaps home a backhand for USA at 16:33 to tie the game: 1-1

Auston Matthews makes a nice move in front but can't get USA on the board.

Canada with pressure in the USA zone but can't increase the lead.

Canada calls timeout after a tired line gets caught on the ice after an icing.

Mathew Barzal fires home a rebound and opens the scoring for Canada at 5:06 of the second period: 1-0

USA has killed off the major penalty, Canada had four shots on goal during the advantage.

Canada opens the second period on the powerplay

First Period:

End of the first period: Shots Canada 5, USA 4

Canada will have 2:20 left on the powerplay in the second period.

Prior to the spear, Canada's Brendan Perlini was stopped on a break to keep the game scoreless.

USA's Alex DeBrincat has been given a five minute major and a game misconduct for spearing Canada's Travis Konecny at 17:20.

Mitch Marner turned away on a point blank shot, game remains scoreless.

10:52 left in the first period, lots of action on both ends but still scoreless.

Canada has killed off the first penalty of the game.

Canada's Dylan Strome is called for a slashing penalty at 1:34.

Pre-game notes: