Larkin scores twice as Team USA tops Italy in 2017 World Championship tune-up

By @StefanKubus –

Tuesday marked the first bit of action for Team USA in the 2017 IIHF World Championship.

In an pre-tournament contest against Italy, the United States prevailed with a 5-2 victory.

Waterford native and Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin scored twice, including the game-winning goal, while Rochester native Jacob Trouba (Winnipeg Jets) tallied a goal and an assist in the contest. Macomb native and Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser collected an assist, as well.

Detroit netminder Jimmy Howard and Commerce native Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets) split time between the pipes. Howard allowed one goal on ten shots, while Hellebuyck allowed one on 11 shots.

Buffalo Sabres forward and USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program product Jack Eichel also found the back of the net, having opened the scoring just 1:24 into the contest.

Though that was the only goal of the opening frame, Team USA pulled away in the second period, scoring four times to take a 5-1 lead into the locker room through 40 minutes. Italy added a second goal in the third period to cap off the scoring.

Official World Championship games begin May 5, as the U.S. opens its tournament against Germany.