Prospective number one overall draft pick Auston Matthews is a part of a very young U.S. team at the 2016 World Championships in Russia. Though he’s young, the U.S. never thought he’s just be a warm body, he was the first player named to the team.
Saturday, the U.S. beat Belarus 6-3, grabbing their first win a day after falling to a NHL-heavy Canada squad.
In Sunday’s win, Matthews scored twice and had an assist, grabbing his first World Championship goal. The first was a beautiful snipe that pegged the upper corner off a feed from Kyle Connor, beating Belarusian netminder Kevin LaLande.
Big night for @A_Matthews34 with two goals. RT if you think he'll help get @usahockey a championship #IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/fPtuhI0twJ
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 7, 2016
The second came off the rush, getting nice cross-ice pass from Frank Vatrano, as the U.S. swarmed down the ice, giving Vatrano a number of passing options.
https://twitter.com/myregularface/status/729030770623307777
The U.S.’s next match will be against a very good Finnish squad on Monday.