Motte sets up Larkin for game-winner in first WJEC international game

By @MichaelCaples –

The top players USA Hockey has to offer for the upcoming World Junior championship are competing for roster spots in Lake Placid this week, and a few Michigan Wolverines wasted no time establishing themselves.

With Team USA’s ‘Blue Team’ taking on Finland in the first day of international competition at the U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp, future UM teammates Tyler Motte and Dylan Larkin teamed up for the game-winning goal. With just over one minute to play, Motte (St. Clair) claimed the puck during a battle in the left corner and sent a pass to Larkin (Waterford), who skated round the net and banked a shot off the goaltender and into the back of the net.

Traverse City native Brandon Halverson stopped all eight shots he faced in the first 30:29 of the contest; he was splitting the game with Arizona native Brendan Burke.

Meanwhile, ‘Team White’ lost 4-3 to Sweden in their first outing of the camp. The American squad climbed back from a 4-0 hole, but couldn’t find the tying goal.

Here are the highlights from the Team Blue win:

On Saturday, Team Blue and Team White competed in a scrimmage, with Team Blue prevailing 5-2. Here are the stats after two games for our Michigan connections:

• Tyler Motte, St. Clair, University of Michigan – 1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points
• Dylan Larkin, Waterford, University of Michigan (Red Wings draft pick) – 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points
• Michael Downing, Canton, University of Michigan – 1 assist, 1 point
• Brandon Halverson, Traverse City, Soo Greyhounds – 55:29 played, 2.16 GAA, .895 SV%
• J.T. Compher, University of Michigan – 3 assists, 3 points
• Dominic Turgeon, Detroit Red Wings draft pick – 0 points
• Michael McCarron, Macomb, London Knights – 0 points
• Kyle Connor, Shelby Township, Youngstown Phantoms – 0 points