Devils News: Luke Hughes And USA Fall In Semi-Finals

HALIFAX, CANADA - JANUARY 04: Luke Hughes #43 of Team United States skates the puck against Adam Fantilli #19 of Team Canada during the third period in the semifinal round of the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship at Scotiabank Centre on January 4, 2023 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
HALIFAX, CANADA - JANUARY 04: Luke Hughes #43 of Team United States skates the puck against Adam Fantilli #19 of Team Canada during the third period in the semifinal round of the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship at Scotiabank Centre on January 4, 2023 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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The New Jersey Devils had a very nice win over the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night. It was an outstanding game for the entire team as they won 5-1. Their two best players Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes led the way with a goal and an assist each.

Dougie Hamilton, Miles Wood, and Alex Holtz all had two points as well which was incredible to see and much needed as this team does much better when the depth scorers are involved as well.

It was just an overall great night for the team as a whole, including goalie Vitek Vanecek who gave up one goal on 33 shots. He has been outstanding this season, and the Devils have needed every save that they can get.

That wasn’t the only news that came from the Devils on Wednesday night. The World Junior Championships was going on at the same time which is always some of the most exciting hockey you can see, especially when the Devils are involved.

The New Jersey Devils had some players going in the World Juniors semi-finals.

In the early game, Devils prospect Petr Hauser and Team Czech took on Team Sweden which doesn’t have any Devils prospects this year. Team Czech prevailed and made it to the Gold Medal Game. They are on a really nice run but will have their hardest test ahead of them.

They knew that they were going to play against the winner of Canada and the United States who played right after them. This year, New Jersey doesn’t have any prospects on Team Canada but Luke Hughes is the captain of Team USA.

Unfortunately, the United States was defeated by Canada as Connor Bedard and the rest of his teammates took over after the US went up 2-0. It was a tough way for it to end for Hughes as he helped create some good chances but nothing came from it.

His defensive game, along with all of his teammates on defense, weren’t at their best in this one but Team Canada can do that to people at times.

Following the game, Hughes was named one of Team USA’s three best players in the whole tournament, so that is something to be incredibly proud of. This year’s event isn’t ending the way he wanted it to, but there is no doubt that he has a lot to be happy with.

Hughes and Team USA will now battle Team Sweden for the Bronze Medal while Canada takes on Czech for the Gold. Those should be some pretty great games to watch, as three of them will walk away with very impressive medals.

Following that, we have to hope that all of the Devils’ prospects have strong finishes to their years with their respective clubs.

For Hughes, the University of Michigan has some big games ahead of them down the stretch so it should be fun to watch. It won’t be long before we see him in New Jersey.

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