BUFFALO, N.Y. — Jack Campbell made 14 saves and Andy Iles didn’t face a shot in 9 minutes as the two U.S. goalies combined to shut out Germany 4-0 on Thursday night in preliminary round play in the World Junior Hockey Championships.
Campbell was en route to his seventh shutout in international play and his second in the junior tournament when he came out of the game with 9:02 to play. He remained on the bench as Iles saw his first action of the tournament. Jon Merrill had a goal and an assist for the Americans, while Charlie Coyle and Chris Kreider added power-play goals and Jerry D’Amigo an even-strength tally.
The U.S. (3-0) remained undefeated with one game remaining in the preliminary round. The Americans will face Switzerland (2-1) tonight in a game that could decide the winner of Group A and an automatic bid in the semifinals.
Germany finished 0-4 in the preliminary round.
In other tournament action, Sweden (3-0) had a 6-3 win over the Czech Republic (1-2) to set up a Group B-deciding match against Canada (3-0) today. Russia (1-2) also won, 8-2 over Norway (0-3).
Oregon RB James to stay
EUGENE, Ore. — Heisman Trophy finalist LaMichael James announced he is is coming back to Oregon next season for his junior year.
James, the nation’s leading rusher with 1,682 yards this season, will forgo the April’s NFL draft.
His play has helped carry the No. 2 Ducks to the national championship game, in which they will play No. 1 Auburn in Glendale, Ariz., on Jan. 10.
• Michigan backup quarterback Tate Forcier is academically ineligible for Saturday’s Gator Bowl against No. 21 Mississippi State in Jacksonville, Fla.
Forcier, who was in Jacksonville for the bowl game, now is traveling back to Michigan. The sophomore threw for 597 yards and four touchdown this season.
• New Indiana football coach Kevin Wilson has named Boise State assistant Brent Pease as his offensive coordinator.
• Jacory Harris will be Miami’s starting quarterback in today’s Sun Bowl against Notre Dame in El Paso.
• Brigham Young has announced the resignation of offensive coordinator Robert Anae following a disappointing 7-6 season.
Footnotes.
Speedskaters Shani Davis and Jilleanne Rookard dominated the first day of the the U.S. national championships in Kearns, Utah.
Davis won the 500 meters in 35.30 seconds and the 5,000 meters in 6 minutes, 25.03 seconds. Rookard won the 500 in a personal- record 39.60 and the 3,000 in 4:16.86.
• Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf will be out for at least two games after a deflected puck broke his nose.
• New York Rangers center Erik Christensen will miss four to six weeks because of a knee injury.
• Nicolas Kiefer retired from tennis after a career in which the German reached a No. 4 ranking and the semifinals of the 2006 Australian Open.
