With Luke Hughes out, an opportunity opens for Sean Behrens

FRISCO, Texas — Sean Behrens came to Texas with a Texas-sized amount of pressure on his shoulders. With Luke Hughes at home recovering from foot surgery, the Americans needed someone to step up and fill the void left by the talented defenceman at the 2021 IIHF U18 World Championship.

Monday night at Comerica Center to start, Behrens proved to be capable of shouldering the load.

Team USA fell 7-6 in overtime against Russia in their opening-round game. An exciting game for those watching at home, but a tough way to open for the Americans, who failed to protect a 5-1 lead, surrendering four goals in the second period and another in the third before Russia's Nikita Chibrikov netted the overtime winner.