Trey Augustine Backstops Team USA to Win Over Norway as World Junior Campaign Begins
Augustine makes 22 saves on 23 shots in a 4-1 USA win that was closer than anyone predicted
For Team USA—the favorites entering the 2024 World Junior Championship in Gothenburg, a tournament-opening game against the Norwegians was supposed to be a rout. Instead, Norway put forth a valiant effort against an American side that appeared to sleepwalk through the early stages of what was ultimately a 4-1 victory for the States.
Trey Augustine (a Detroit Red Wings' 2023 second rounder) got the start in net for David Carle and Team USA, and he was arguably the Americans' best player in a less than overwhelming effort.
Augustine made 22 saves on 23 shots. 10 of those stops came in the first period when he was beyond any doubt the best American on the ice, and Norway could easily have led were it not for his performance between the pipes.
Going into this tournament, Carle is blessed with two excellent options in goal: Augustine and Jacob Fowler of Boston College (and a Montreal Canadiens draft choice). Both are enjoying excellent seasons in the NCAA and have credible claims to being the best goaltender at this tournament. Augustine got the first chance to stake his claim to being Team USA's number one option in net, and he delivered a strong impression in the victory.
For more on Augustine vs. Fowler, check out the above video (an excerpt from The Silky Mitten State) in which my co-host Connor Earegood and I discuss Carle's decision and the goalies' relative merits.
For that full conversation, check out the entire episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
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