World Cup of Hockey: Jack Eichel taps in rebound, gives North America 1-0 lead (Video)

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 14: Jack Eichel
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 14: Jack Eichel /
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Jack Eichel’s power play gives North America an early 1-0 lead over Finland in the World Cup of Hockey. 

Team North America has been excelling during the World Cup of Hockey. They are an extremely fast team who can score goals in a flash. That’s precisely what happened during North America’s first power play against Finland in their first group game at the World Cup, when Jack Eichel tapped home a rebound from Auston Matthews to give North America a 1-0 lead.

That’s a quality goal from Eichel, a skilled player who isn’t afraid to go to the net. That is quite an asset to have on a power play as great as North America’s. Finland’s Pekka Rinne did a great job stopping Matthews’ initial shot on goal, but he couldn’t coral it before Eichel put it in. 2015 No. 1 overall pick Connor McDavid got the secondary assist on the goal.

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It’s easy to overlook Eichel with all the talented young players in the NHL. McDavid averaged over a point per game last season and finished with eight less points than Eichel despite playing in 36 less games. However, don’t sleep on Eichel. 56 points from a rookie is quite impressive and he has already taken on some significant roles for the Sabres.

Matthews’ assist is his first at the Air Canada Center. Hopefully it’s the first of many for the first overall pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He’ll be getting a lot of experience playing in Toronto, as he’ll likely make the team out of training camp.

McDavid got his first point of the tournament on Eichel’s goal. He was held pointless during the exhibition games.