Slick 18-year-old Jack Eichel briefly showcased some of his skills during Team USA’s 5-1 win over Finland in its world championship opener today, generating two strong chances in about a minute.
First, the future Buffalo Sabres center fired high on goalie Pekka Rinne after smoothly moving from the point area to the left circle with about seven minutes left in the second period. Later, Rinne stoned the Boston University superstar’s quick wrist shot from the left circle.
In 14 minutes, 47 seconds of ice time, Eichel had zero points, two shots, a two-minute high-stick penalty and a minus-1 rating. He mostly skated between Harvard University’s Jimmy Vesey and the Los Angeles Kings’ Trevor Lewis. Eichel also played on the power play.
The Sabres won the right to select Eichel No. 2 in June at the the NHL Draft Lottery on April 18. The U.S. plays Norway on Saturday.