(WGR Sports Radio 550) - Tage Thompson got off to a great start for Team USA in Game 1 of the World Championship on Friday in Denmark.
The Buffalo Sabres forward probably was the Americans' best player skating on a line with Utah Mammoth forwards Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley. The U.S. shut out Denmark, 5-0, behind 26 saves from Joey Daccord (Seattle Kraken).
Thompson had eight of Team USA’s 48 shots on goal, and was dangerous all night. He started this tournament playing on the right wing, and was the only reason Cooley was able to score his goal.
The play started with Thompson's one-timer from the left circle being blocked. He got the puck back, and his wrist shot was also stopped. He kept going to the net, and kept the play alive with the goaltender down. Cooley then swooped in from behind the net with Thompson lying on the ice, and Cooley banked the puck in off Frederik Dichow’s legs.
In the third period, Thompson had Dichow down and out, and wound up for a slap shot and somehow didn’t hit the open net.
Matty Beniers (Kraken) led the way for Team USA with two goals.
Up next for the U.S. is a matchup Sunday against Hungary.
Despite playing in Sweden, Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin decided not to play in the 2025 Worlds.
Dahlin didn’t seem too thrilled when I asked him on locker cleanout day if he was playing. He just said he didn’t know and walked out.
I thought Dahlin played very well in the 4 Nations Face Off along with partner Gus Forsling (Florida Panthers). As a matter of fact, I thought they were the team's best pair, but Sweden’s coaching staff hardly ever used Dahlin on special teams, and didn’t use him at all in two different overtimes.
I have no idea if that's the reason he’s not playing, but I wouldn’t blame him if it was.