Rangers’ Gabe Perreault has assist, United States routs Switzerland 11-3 at 2024 WJC
Gabe Perreault had an assist for the second straight game at the 2024 World Junior Championship, helping the United States cruise to an 11-3 win against Switzerland on Thursday.
A first-round pick (No. 23) by the New York Rangers in the 2023 NHL Draft, Perreault also had an assist in a 4-1 win against Norway on Tuesday.
Perreault found the score sheet early against Switzerland. He picked up an assist on Will Smith’s game-opening goal 1:20 into the first period. The Rangers forward prospect slid a pass toward Ryan Leonard, who whiffed on a one-timer. The puck slid directly to Zeeb Buium and the defenseman quickly found Smith on left wing for the goal.
Perreault was on the ice but did not record a point when Leonard scored a power-play goal at 9:33 of the second period Thursday, giving the U.S. a 7-1 lead at the time. He, Leonard and Smith are linemates with the United States at the WJC and also at Boston College this season.
The 18-year-old finished with one shot on goal in 13:34 of ice time against Switzerland. He was on for Switzerland’s fluky first goal 9:17 into the game that cut the U.S. lead at the time to 3-1.
Rangers’ Drew Fortescue also helps United States to big win against Switzerland
Drew Fortescue, New York’s third-round pick (No. 90) in 2023, was third on the United States logging 18:15 in ice time, behind defensemen Buium (18:57) and Lane Hutson (18:22). Fortescue, who had an assist against Norway, was held without a point Thursday and finished a plus-one with one shot on goal.
Jimmy Snuggerud, a St. Lous Blues first-round pick (No. 23) in 2022, led the U.S. with four points (three goals, one assist), including a natural hat trick in the first period. Gavin Brindley, a Columbus Blue Jackets prospect, had two goals and an assist.
Perreault and Fortescue will be back in action Friday when the United States (2-0-0-0) plays Czechia (1-0-0-1) in Group B pool play.
Rangers forward prospect Adam Sykora had the day off Thursday. But he will lead Slovakia (2-0-0-0) against Norway on Thursday. Sykora has yet to record a point in two games at the 2024 WJC.
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