Team USA beats Canada in split-squad series at World Junior Summer Showcase

By @MichaelCaples –

Two games against Canada in a split-squad setting, and two wins for the Americans.

In Tuesday’s action at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Kamloops, B.C., USA Blue beat Canada White and USA White beat Canada Red, with plenty of Michigan names playing roles in the victories.

In a 3-2 victory for USA Blue, Northville native Sasha Chmelevski scored twice, while former Belle Tire/Victory Honda/Flint Firebirds goaltender Kyle Keyser made 23 saves between the pipes.

Jason Robertson (Northville) and Ivan Lodnia (Novi) both recorded a goal and an assist in a 7-5 victory for USA White later in the day. The game-winner came from the Hughes brothers, as Quinn – returning to the Michigan Wolverines this fall – scored the go-ahead goal with Jack – returning to USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program this fall – registering the lone assist.

Oxford native and fellow Wolverine sophomore-to-be Josh Norris recorded two assists.

Team White and Team Blue will combine into one squad for the remainder of the WJSS; Team USA will play Sweden on Thursday, Finland on Friday and Canada on Saturday.

Highlights from Tuesday: