dent occurred at 12:12 of the second period. Bitz was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for boarding. Clifford suffered an injury as a result of the hit.For a full explanation of the decision, complete with video, please click on the following link: http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=60&id=171899
Team USA, the three-time defending champion, was one of four teams to win on opening day of the 2012 World Under-18 Championship in the Czech Republic on Thursday.In a pair of games played at Kajot Arena in Brno, the U.S. scored three times in a 3:30 span early in the third period of a scoreless game en route to a 4-0 win against Finland,Stan Mikita Authentic Jersey, while Kerby Rychel had a goal and an assist to lead Canada to a 6-1 win against Denmark.The U.S., the three-time defending gold medalists, got goals Nicolas Kerdiles, Matt Lane and Quentin Shore in quick order after the teams had played two scoreless periods. Kerdiles, a forward with the U.S. National Team Development Program ranked No. 29 among North American skaters, started the run when he banged in a power-play goal 54 seconds into the third period. Just 2:10 later, Lane made it 2-0, and then after another 1:20, it was Shore scoring to make it 3-0.Conner Carrick added a power-play goal later in the period, and goalie Collin Olsen stopped all 21 shots he faced."I'm really pleased with how the guys played tonight," U.S. coach Danton Cole said. "We played well defensively, worked hard and our special teams were great. We were solid all the way around."Finland goalie Joonas Korpisalo, who plays for Jokerit's team in the Finnish junior league,Authentic Dustin Byfuglien Jersey, made 33 saves in the loss. He's No. 3 on Central Scouting's final ranking of European goalies.The U.S. next plays Saturday, against the Czech Republic, while Finland's next game is Saturday against Canada. Rychel, who plays in the Ontario Hockey League for the Windsor Spitfires, is eligible for the 2013 NHL Draft. Canada's Gemel Smith scored late in first period to snap a 1-1 tie and spark Canada to the victory. Scott Laughton, Mike Winther, Anthony Mantha and Mathew Dumba also scored for Canada,Authentic Jonathan Toews Jersey, and Matt Murray stopped 15 of 16 shots in goal."It was everyone was on the same page today. It was good to see that for the first game," Dumba, the team captain, told NHL.com via e-mail. A defenseman with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League, Dumba is No. 11 on Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters.Oliver Bjorkstrand had Denmark's lone goal, while goalie Matthias Hansen stopped 42 of 48 shots. Canada next plays Finland on Saturday, while Denmark plays the host Czech Republic on Friday. Dumba said even with the big win, there are places the team needs to get better."That's one thing we strive for, is to get better each day of this tournament," Dumba said. "Everyone needs to get the systems down pat. With a short-term competition, that's one of the challenges and we need to make sure everyone is on the same page."At Zimni Stadion in Znojmo, Daniil Zhark