Russia beats USA 2-1 at world junior championships

• End-to-end rush leads to winning Russian goal
• USA can't capitalize on late power play
• Americans will face Canada on Sunday

Coach Phil Housley's analysis of Team USA's performance against Russia was more favorable than the scoreboard's final verdict.

"I said after the game that if we continue to play like we did (in that game), then we will get what we want," Housley said Friday after the USA's 2-1 loss at the World Junior Championships in Ufa, Russia.

The Americans believed they played a strong "road game" against the host team, only to be undermined by the strong goaltending of Buffalo Sabres prospect Andrey Makarov. He made 41 saves, including a memorable one against Boston College's John Gaudreau, a Calgary Flames prospect..

"All aspects of our game were solid," Housley said. "We ran into a hot goaltender. Maybe if Johnny Gaudreau gets that one by him early in the first period, it changes the complexion of the game."

The game was 1-1 until Russian Vladimir Tkachyov scored at 4:10 of the third period against Anaheim goalie prospect John Gibson (28 saves). Tkachyov knocked in a rebound after Valeri Nichushkin made a rush down ice.

Winnipeg Jets first-round pick Jacob Trouba scored at 13:18 of the second period for the Americans to tie the score. He has a goal in each of the USA games.

"I think this was one of those games where either team could have won," said New York Rangers prospect J.T. Miller. "Our team could have played a little better in some spots, but that's just the way it goes.'

The Americans are 1-1 with three points in their pool, which includes Canada (2-0), Slovaka (0-2) and Germany (0-2). Slovakia has a point because it took the Russians to overtime. Russia has five points, and Canada has two regulation wins for six points.

After playing two games in two days, the Americans have a day off before playing archrival Canada on Sunday (4:30 a.m. ET, NHL Network).

Canada had to rally from a two-goal deficit on Friday to beat Slovakia 6-3. Canadians Anthony Camara and JC Lipon were ejected from the game.