GRAND FORKS, N.D. — Dan Fritsche scored twice — including a short-handed goal — to lead the defending champion United States team to a 5-4 victory over Russia on Saturday night in the opening round of the World Junior Hockey Championship.

Fritsche’s second goal, scored midway through the second period, proved to be the winner. The Americans took leads of 2-0, 3-2 and 4-3 against Russia, the tournament champion in 2002 and 2003.

Robbie Schremp, Chris Bourque and Drew Stafford had the other goals for the United States, which got 30 saves from Al Montoya of Michigan — a first-round draft pick of the New York Rangers.

Dmitri Pestunov, Alexander Ovechkin, Sergei Shirokov and Yakov Rylov scored for Russia. Ovechkin was taken No. 1 overall in this year’s NHL draft by the Washington Capitals.