World Juniors coach Mike Hastings gives a scouting report on NY/NJ/CT players

Boston University’s Joel Farabee (Cicero, N.Y.) is a likely addition to the World Juniors team. (Andrew Ketterer)

Christmas is only a few days away, which means the start of the IIHF World Junior Championship comes right around the corner as well.

The U.S. club opened its two-game exhibition schedule on Thursday night with a 3-2 win over Russia in Kamloops, British Columbia, and will face the Czech Republic Saturday before naming the final roster and opening tournament play next Wednesday against Slovakia.

Boston College’s Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass.) and Boston University’s Joel Farabee (Cicero, N.Y.) each had two points in the third period as the Americans overcame a two-goal deficit to win the exhibition opener. Wahlstrom scored the tying goal at the 9:12 mark, and both assisted on a Jack Hughes game-winner with 29 seconds left in regulation.

In goal, Northeastern’s Cayden Primeau played in relief of Darien, Conn., native Spencer Knight and stopped all eight shots he faced to earn the win.