Rangers prospects share ice in 10-2 United States win against Slovakia at 2024 WJC
It was a quiet day for three New York Rangers prospects when the United States rocked Slovakia 10-2 at the World Junior Championship on Sunday.
Defenseman Drew Fortescue had an assist for the U.S. and forward Gabe Perreault was held without a point for the first time in the tournament. Adam Sykora, Slovakia’s captain, had six shots on goal but did not have a point.
With the win, the United States (3-1-0-0) finished pool play as the top seed in Group B. That means the U.S. will play Latvia, the fourth-seeded team in Group A, when the quarterfinals begin Tuesday.
Slovakia (3-0-0-1) absorbed their first loss and finished second in Group B. They will open the single-elimination portion of the WJC against Finland, the third seed in Group A.
“I thought we played extremely well overall,” said David Carle, head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team. “To kill that five-minute major was huge and Trey (Augustine) was great during that stretch and in the game overall. We’re continuing to build and now we’re on to the next phase with the quarterfinals.”
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Drew Fortescue only Rangers prospect with point in United States win against Slovakia at WJC
Despite 12 goals combined in the game, Fortescue was the only Rangers prospect to find the score sheet. He had the primary assist on Rutger McGourty’s goal at 18:54 of the second period which gave the U.S. a 5-2 lead. McGourty had a hat trick for the United States, who pulled away with five goals in the third period.
Fortescue has two assists in four games at the 2024 World Juniors. He had 17:00 of ice time Sunday, fifth most on Team USA, and was plus-one with one shot on goal.
Perreault had one shot on goal in 15:19 of ice time against Slovakia. The forward had recorded one assist in each of the first three games along with an important game-tying shootout goal in Round 5 of a 4-3 win against Czechia on Friday.
His line produced one goal, when Boston College teammate Ryan Leonard scored at 18:20 of the second period.
Sykora was a minus-three Sunday, logging 17:35 of ice time. He fired five shots on goal in the second period but was held at bay by U.S. goalie Trey Augustine, who finished with 38 saves.
The other quarterfinal games Tuesday will be Sweden against Switzerland and Canada against Czechia.
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