Watch: Torey Krug Makes an Impact in International Debut

Bruins defenseman Torey Krug is representing the United States as the 2015 IIHF World Championships in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic. The tournament kicked off on Friday, with the United States taking on Finland. Krug is just one of two Bruins who opted to participate in the tournament, as Loui Eriksson will dress for Team Sweden.

Krug has never played in an international competition before, so his adjustment to the international rules and the larger ice surface are something to keep an eye out for.

So far, so good.

Despite taking a two-minute minor for interference midway through the first period, Krug ended the game with two assists in the USA’s 5-1 win over Finland.

With Pekka Rinne in net for the Finns, Krug got the secondary assist on the only goal of the opening frame at 19:37 of the first period. He sent an excellent breakout pass to Brock Nelson of the New York Islanders, who passed it off to Steve Moses. Moses, a Leominster native who formerly played at the University of New Hampshire, roofed the puck with an impressive backhand over Rinne. Moses currently plays for Jokerit Helsinki in Finland during the season.

In the second period, Team USA gave up one goal against, but scored two more to gain a 3-1 lead. Krug played a major role in the third goal, getting his second assist of the game. Krug carried the puck into the zone and went to the slot. When his shot was blocked out to the blue line, he kept the puck in the zone and sent a pass to Dan Sexton, a former Anaheim Ducks forward who also played at Bowling Green State University. Sexton’s shot beat Rinne while USA captain Matt Hendricks — who had the second USA goal — provided a screen in front of the net.

Krug also saw significant time on the Americans’ only power play, although they were not able to capitalize on the man advantage. In the third period, Krug was on the ice and played a role in Team USA’s fourth goal that put them up, 4-1, on a Nick Bonino goal, although Krug did not get an assist.

No. 47 in blue can be seen cycling down low from the blue line as Steve Moses possesses the puck and shoots it on net, resulting in the Bonino goal and a 4-1 USA lead.

Hendricks added a second goal on the empty net to give the USA a decisive 5-1 win. Krug totaled two assists.