Red Wings prospects Carter Mazur and Red Savage took part in Team USA’s third “round robin” game, a tough match-up with the plucky Austrians on Saturday.
Team USA romped the Austrians 7-0, with Carter Mazur scoring two gritty goals, Red Savage scoring 1 goal and adding 1 assist, and a massive battle between the 3-and-0 Americans and 2-and-0 Sweden slated for tomorrow night at 10 PM EDT.
Mazur has looked just short of utterly dominant this tournament, playing gritty, determined, high-skilled hockey as the “bumper” on the power play and a net-front specialist. He had 2 goals on 4 shots, finishing at +1 in only 12:49 played as his ice time was manged;
Savage has been speedy as hell as he’s shifted to playing the 4th line center’s role, finishing with 1 goal, 1 assist, 1 shot and a +3 in only 10:50 played.
Update: Here’s a bit of Mazur speaking to IIHF.com’s Andrew Podnieks:
“A quick start is something we really focus on,” Mazur noted. “You really want to get to the other team and get the upper hand. I feel like if we do that every game, we’re going to be in a good spot. And I liked how we stayed with our game. So I feel like bringing that into our next game against Sweden will be a really tough challenge, but I think we’re ready for it.”
And here’s Savage, per NHL.com’s Derek Van Diest:
Redmond Savage (Detroit Red Wings) made it 4-0 at 18:26. He took a long pass from defenseman Ian Moore (Anaheim Ducks) and scored up high on Sommer. Play continued as officials ruled the puck hit the crossbar, but a review later determined it had crossed the goal line.
“I heard it and it didn’t sound like the crossbar, and you can tell the difference sometimes between the crossbar and the back bar,” Savage said. “But I didn’t see it go in, so I just put my head down and kept playing.”
Needless to say, the Americans have a big game coming up tomorrow night, so coach Nate Leaman chose to balance out the ice time as he can dress 13 forwards in IIHF hockey.
In terms of the game’s narrative…
In the 1st period, Red Wings summer development camper and Saginaw Spirit goaltender Andrew Oke got the start as Team Sweden awaits the Americans on Sunday night.
Mazur remained at right wing on the Americans’ top line, but Savage was shifted to center on the fourth line, where he’s a little more engaged:
Today’s lineup. #WorldJuniors 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/dsmL5ozU2p— USA Hockey (@usahockey) August 13, 2022
The Americans scored the game’s first goal almost immediately as Wyatt Kaiser ripped a shot through a Matthew Knies screen only 54 seconds in, making it 1-0 Team USA. The goal was Kaiser from Matt Coronato.
Mathew Coronato shows his patience and doubles USA’s lead early in the 1st period 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/izEWS4WZQm— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 13, 2022
Knies also helped Logan Cooley set up Coronato score the 2-0 goal only 2:34 into the 1st, making it 2-0 Team USA.
🇺🇸 @usahockey up 2-0 over @hockeyaustria just just 2:32 in to the 1st
🚨Wyatt Kaiser at 0:54
🚨Matthew Coronato at 2:32#AUTUSA #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/IluqDzME8Y— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) August 13, 2022
Mathew Coronato shows his patience and doubles USA’s lead early in the 1st period 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/izEWS4WZQm— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 13, 2022
As Dave Starman noted on the NHL Network broadcast, Austria had played Sweden yesterday, so they looked like they’d run out of gas…
The Americans got creative as the period progressed…
Logan Cooley was INCHES away from pulling off the Michigan 😱😱 #WorldJuniors
🔗: https://t.co/MjyOJaL4ZD
pic.twitter.com/FdwbGN26g3— Elite Prospects (@eliteprospects) August 13, 2022
And Savage had a good shift with his fourth line linemates, cycling hard in the offensive zone and wearing down the Austrian defense.
Austria got a breakaway opportunity some 5:10 into the 1st, but the Austrian forward fired wide of Oke;
Mostly, the Americans dominated possession and control, sustaining play in the offensive zone, surrendering an occasional rush over the first 7:30 of the 1st, but it really was a shooting gallery for the Americans, who raced out to a 8-1 shot lead some 7:31 in.
Even Savage, Coronato and Stramel were cycling down low and jabbing pucks toward the Austrian net, with Savage sliding a backhander into the goalie at 8:39.
At 11:20 of the 1st, Kaiser got a lateral pass walking in from the blueline from Red Savage, no less, and he ripped a puck off an Austrian defender and in to make it 3-0. The goal was Kaiser from Savage and Duran.
Wyatt Kaiser gets his second of the period! USA leads 3-0 🔥 #WorldJuniors
🔗: https://t.co/sZ6DKW0ZG1
pic.twitter.com/2qbc01d2nZ— Elite Prospects (@eliteprospects) August 13, 2022
The Austrians did get an occasional chance in on Andrew Oke, but they mostly watched the Americans generate shots on Sommer, and get angry when the Americans crashed the net.
Samoskevich chipped the puck off the goalpost as well, as Team USA racked up 21 shots in the first 16:39 of play…
There is a Marco Kasper connection on Team Austria.
17-year-old Austrian forward Ian Scherzer also plays for Rogle BK in Sweden, and he and Kasper are pals (and both speak Swedish, too). https://t.co/9XUaNbZlZZ— George Malik (@georgemalik) August 13, 2022
So Kasper has an Austrian pal in the Rogle organization.
Anyway…
In all honesty, Mazur and the top line looked a little “off” throughout the first period, though the NHL Network showed his dad and grandfather in attendance…
Savage cranked another puck off the post with 1:30 remaining in the 1st, and the horn sounded with 1:05 remaining in the 1st…Meaning a REVIEW!
The puck did cross the line, so Savage broke in on a mini-breakaway and was credited with a goal at 18:26. Ian Moore and Riley Duran got the assists on the 4-0 goal.
Red Savage’s snipe gives 🇺🇸 USA a 4-0 lead in the 1st period.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/J7IXEWmhvN— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 13, 2022
Savage. @redsavage_19 @usahockey #WorldJuniors #AUTUSA pic.twitter.com/edUgy4kfVl— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) August 13, 2022
It took a review, but @redsavage_19 did in fact bury on the break. #WorldJuniors 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/MULKITqsZk— USA Hockey (@usahockey) August 13, 2022
Red Savage (DET) shot came out of the net so quick the ref thought it was off the bar, but it was in. He’s got his second of the tournament. 4-0 USA. Savage has gone above and beyond his role throughout the tournament. Plays hard, plays fast and now he’s picking up goals.— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) August 13, 2022
Call that a Savage snipe 🔥
Red Savage makes it 4-0 USA! #WorldJuniors
🔗: https://t.co/6ec222MF96
pic.twitter.com/eMQihzccIa— Elite Prospects (@eliteprospects) August 13, 2022
Ultimately, Team USA had 26 shots, 4 goals, 4 or 5 goalpost/crossbar events, and they held Austria to 6 shots against as Team USA took a 4-0 lead into the intermission.
In the 2nd period, the Austrians actually came out flying, but Mazur and Slaggert nearly scored on the Americans’ first rush, and Logan Cooley attempted the “Michigan” again some 1:50 into the 2nd.
To some extent, the Americans really wanted to kill clock for almost 40 minutes and get out alive and unscathed heading into Sunday night’s 10 PM-starting game vs. Sweden, and they just didn’t have the same level of afterburners-on fire in the early parts of the 2nd…
But the talent disparity and the level of energy that the Americans had as compared to the Austrians were both incredibly evident.
Red Savage did high stick Martin Urbanek accidentally some 4:24 into the 2nd, but there was no penalty called on the play.
On the next play, Carter Mazur charged up the ice and took a pass from Bordeleau, chipping the puck into Sommer.
The Americans had built a 34-9 shot advantage some 6:38 into the 2nd, but there just wasn’t the same level of “fireworks” play that there was during the first period. The Americans put it on cruise control…
But Bordeleau took a lazy clearing pass and slithered the puck to Carter Mazur all alone behind the Austrian defense, and Mazur made no mistake, chipping the puck over Sommer’s blocker at 7:01. The goal was the Americans’ 5-0 marker.
Lettin’ it rip! @Carter_Mazur | #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/QrlKeirI62— USA Hockey (@usahockey) August 13, 2022
Carter Mazur (DET) continues to have a strong tournament, scoring the goal to make it 5-0. Nice work from Thomas Bordeleau (SJS) and Sasha Pastujov (ANA) to combine on the play to get Mazur the puck all alone. Perfect shot on the finish.— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) August 13, 2022
🇺🇸 Carter Mazur scores a birthday goal for his Grandpa as he watches from the crowd ❤️#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/YBAZUj6ixs— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 13, 2022
The Austrians took a bad penalty at 7:43, and with Mazur playing the “bumper” in the slot, he took a savvy pass and chipped the puck through the Austrian goalie to score his second goal of the game at 7:58.
🇺🇸 Hat trick watch continues as @Carter_Mazur earns his second of the game. Two goals just @usahockey WorldJuniors #AUTUSA pic.twitter.com/P8sOwA2M1x— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) August 13, 2022
Mazur in the bumper spot makes it 6-0 on the power play. Efficient puck work among all of USA’s players on the power play. Mackie Samoskevich (FLA) to Bordeleau (SJS) to Mazur to the net.— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) August 13, 2022
Carter Mazur (DET) may not be NHL ready yet, but boy does he look it! pic.twitter.com/NXS1t3Ux9Z— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) August 13, 2022
Carter Mazur gets in alone and makes it 5-0 USA! #WorldJuniors
🔗: https://t.co/yyg5VxUunh
pic.twitter.com/zxGatM7NjS— Elite Prospects (@eliteprospects) August 13, 2022
Hockey player. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/BL0UaQ6qNr— USA Hockey (@usahockey) August 13, 2022
Carter Mazur Hat Trick Watch 👀 USA leads 6-0!
🔗: https://t.co/yyg5VxUunh
pic.twitter.com/GbXsVzFOZw— Elite Prospects (@eliteprospects) August 13, 2022
Put bluntly, the Americans were just too much for the Austrians, especially without Marco Kasper, but even Kasper, who will play in the December WJC, wouldn’t have made that much of a difference on a day like today.
Dominic James took a penalty for slashing at 10:06 of the 2nd, but the Americans killed the penalty without incident, and led in shots 38-10 thereafter.
Mostly, the play of the game in terms of emphasis on the rout was Ian Scherzer, Marco Kasper’s teammate, got shoulder checked off his feet by Kaiser, flying off the hit and landing on his back.
What a lovely little lay-the-stick-flat play by Mazur in the neutral zone to bail out his defenseman, who was far too far up the ice.
Just a little thing, but you want to see that commitment to defense in the damn neutral zone of all places.
Little things. Always notice them.— George Malik (@georgemalik) August 13, 2022
At 17:22, Berard got called for slashing Sommer, and the Austrians headed to their 2nd power play.
That being said, Red Savage deked and dangled in shorthanded, but was stopped on the mini-breakaway;
Ultimately, the Americans scored as Luke Hughes and Coronato set up Luke James for the 7-0 goal at 18:40 of the 2nd period. Austria challenged for offside. Coronato was offside, so the goal was called back.
It remained 6-0.
Mazur battles along the end boards against THREE Austrians, wins the puck battle, and jabs a puck into Sommer, and pushes and shoves after the play.
In a 6-0 game, late in the 2nd period.
Work ethic!— George Malik (@georgemalik) August 13, 2022
That, and being just a mean player…
With 26.1 left in the 2nd, Stramel took a roughing minor for the Americans, who headed to another PK.
Team USA headed to the intermission down a man but up 6-0 and up 42-11 in shots.
Carter Mazur (DET) scores twice in the second period as the U.S. now leads Austria 6-0. Shots are 42-11 through two. USA has been able to stretch their bench out even more in this game, especially among defensemen as Sweden awaits tomorrow.— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) August 13, 2022
In the 3rd period, team USA started 3rd goaltender Remington Keopple, giving Oke a shutout win over the course of 2 periods and 11 shots stopped.
Carter Mazur also spoke with the NHL Network during the 2nd intermission:
Happy 87th birthday to @Carter_Mazur‘s grandfather! 🥳🥳
He’s in the stands today watching his grandson’s two-goal game for @usahockey. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/ztnu36iSnk— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 13, 2022
The Americans killed the penalty without surrendering a shot.
When things got back to even strength, the Americans began to press offensively, and while it wasn’t a 100% heavy press, they walked around the immobile, tired and frustrated Austrians and cycled hard down low in the offensive zone.
That’s how you want to play defense–200 feet from your net.
Regrettably, Team USA took a penalty at 5:01 as Bordeleau slashed a Swiss player, and just after Keopple stopped his first shot, the Austrians went to their 4th power play.
Dominic James chipped the puck backhand shelf, but over the net, on a shorthanded breakaway;
And while the Austrians did at least set up in the offensive zone once, they did not generate a shot on their power play.
Wyatt Kaiser did rip a shot toward the net with about 11:40 left in regulation, but Sommer got a glove on the hat trick attempt;
Dave Starman delicately says that Carter Mazur uses his hips well to shift his skates toward the puck and win puck battles.
I would indelicately suggest that Mazur does a great job of using his butt to protect the puck and ward off opponents. Hockey butt!— George Malik (@georgemalik) August 13, 2022
Nico Kramer took a penalty for holding at 10:46 of the 3rd, and the Americans really put it on cruise control, more or less affording themselves 2 minutes of clock-killing time far away from their net.
With the shots at 52-14 with 5:50 remaining, the Americans kept skating, and kept grinding, but they chose to not empty the tank given that Sweden was waiting.
Sasha Pastujov scored with 40.1 seconds left in the 3rd to make it 7-0, and that was about that.
Sasha Pastujov banks one in off the goalie’s mask as 🇺🇸 USA extends their lead to 7-0 late in the 3rd 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/OHZM3Lou9o— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 13, 2022
No hat tricks, but Kaiser and Mazur recorded two goal apiece to keep @usahockey perfect. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/GIQoOljCcx— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) August 13, 2022
USA has outscored its first three opponents 18-2. First real test for this group comes tomorrow against Sweden. Notably, this is the first time USA has gone 3-0 to start the WJC since 2017, which was a gold medal tournament for the U.S.— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) August 13, 2022
Update: Here are the game’s highlights, via Vimeo:
