For the second year in a row, the Gopher basketball team ventured to Iowa City and came away with a dominant victory. this time 86-74.
Blake Hoffarber scored 17 of his game-high 24 points in the first half, which saw the Gophers shoot 54% from the floor and build a 49-32 lead. Damian Johnson (13) and Devoe Joseph (12) each reached double-figures for Minnesota.
Coach Tubby Smith played each of his ten healthy players, and all but Colton Iverson scored in the game. Senior Devron Bostick played his finest game of the season, notching eight points and seven rebounds in 16 minutes.
The Gophers dominated the game's first five minutes, forcing six Iowa turnovers. The Gophers' tough defense forced Iowa to turn the ball over 18 times in the first half - 14 of them on steals. For the game, Iowa turned the ball over 25 times, while the Gophers managed a disappointing 16 on their own. The Gophs were out-rebounded 37-35, partially due to Iowa's poor overall shooting. However, the defensive effort Saturday is to be applauded.
Minnesota played without Ralph Sampson III, who sat out due to an ankle injury. How long he will remain out is not known, although they'll definitely need him for their next game.
The Gophers are now 11-3 and have won eight games in a row. They have started 2-0 in Big Ten play for the first time since 2004-05. The road gets much tougher for the Gophers, as they face #4 Purdue in West Lafayette on Tuesday night. This will be a good test for the Gophers, as they look to rebound from a poor performance in that building one year ago and also try to avenge the three losses sustained earlier in the season.
Tuesday is a statement game for this year's collection. Let's see what the Gophers are made of.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Big Third Period Bails Out Gopher Pucksters
The recipe was almost the same as so many weekend openers: missed opportunities early, a bad bounce here and there, and before long, another defeat. On Saturday night, however, the Gopher hockey team strung together three third period goals and saved itself against punchless Bowling Green 3-1 in the opener of the Dodge Holiday Classic.
After spotting BGSU a 1-0 lead after two periods, the Gophers struck quickly in the third, as Mike Carman converted on a power play to tie the score. The game stayed that way for nearly 15 minutes before Mike Hoeffel scored to break the tie. Ryan Flynn scored into an empty net to make the final score 3-1.
Hoeffel and Carman each notched a goal and an assist in the game for the Gophers. Alex Kangas was not overly busy in the nets, but stopped 22 of 23 Bowling Green shots to pick up his eighth win of the season.
The Gophers are now 9-9-1 on the season and are at the .500 mark for the first time since November 1.
Minnesota will face Northern Michigan Sunday in the championship game of the Dodge Holiday Classic, by virtue of NMU's 4-0 victory over Clarkson earlier Saturday. Mark Olver had a goal and an assist, Justin Florek picked up two helpers, and goaltender Brian Stewart stopped all 29 Clarkson shots in the Northern victory.
The Gophers have reached the elusive .500 mark and have now won four games in a row. The drive for five continues Sunday, with a winnable series next weekend at home against Harvard. A nice winning streak to carry into the WCHA stretch run, perhaps......
After spotting BGSU a 1-0 lead after two periods, the Gophers struck quickly in the third, as Mike Carman converted on a power play to tie the score. The game stayed that way for nearly 15 minutes before Mike Hoeffel scored to break the tie. Ryan Flynn scored into an empty net to make the final score 3-1.
Hoeffel and Carman each notched a goal and an assist in the game for the Gophers. Alex Kangas was not overly busy in the nets, but stopped 22 of 23 Bowling Green shots to pick up his eighth win of the season.
The Gophers are now 9-9-1 on the season and are at the .500 mark for the first time since November 1.
Minnesota will face Northern Michigan Sunday in the championship game of the Dodge Holiday Classic, by virtue of NMU's 4-0 victory over Clarkson earlier Saturday. Mark Olver had a goal and an assist, Justin Florek picked up two helpers, and goaltender Brian Stewart stopped all 29 Clarkson shots in the Northern victory.
The Gophers have reached the elusive .500 mark and have now won four games in a row. The drive for five continues Sunday, with a winnable series next weekend at home against Harvard. A nice winning streak to carry into the WCHA stretch run, perhaps......
WJC Lives to Fight Another Day
The US World Junior Championship team defeated Finland Saturday night, 6-2 to set up a matchup against Sweden Sunday evening.
The US broke open a 3-1 game with three third period goals to do in the Finns.
The goal-scorers for the Americans were Matt Donovan (U. of Denver), Danny Kristo (U. of North Dakota), Jerry D'Amigo - twice (RPI), and Chris Kreider (Boston College). Jordan Schroeder (U. of Minnesota) assisted on three US goals, and Derek Stepan (U. of Wisconsin) set up two. With Stepan's two assists, he moves into the overall tournament points lead with eleven (three goals and eight assists).
The real star for the US was goaltender Mike Lee (St. Cloud State). He turned aside 42 of 44 Finnish shots, including 22 of 23 in a hectic third period when Finland threw everything it had at the net.
It was a nice win for the US and they are now but one game away from a shot at WCJ gold. However, the Swedes will pose quite a test for the Yanks Sunday night.
In a shocker earlier Saturday, Switzerland defeated the Russian team 3-2 in overtime to eliminate the Russians from gold medal contention. The Swiss scored the game-tying goal with 33 seconds remaining in regulation and won it almost ten minutes into the overtime session. Switzerland will face Canada Sunday evening in Saskatoon.
The US broke open a 3-1 game with three third period goals to do in the Finns.
The goal-scorers for the Americans were Matt Donovan (U. of Denver), Danny Kristo (U. of North Dakota), Jerry D'Amigo - twice (RPI), and Chris Kreider (Boston College). Jordan Schroeder (U. of Minnesota) assisted on three US goals, and Derek Stepan (U. of Wisconsin) set up two. With Stepan's two assists, he moves into the overall tournament points lead with eleven (three goals and eight assists).
The real star for the US was goaltender Mike Lee (St. Cloud State). He turned aside 42 of 44 Finnish shots, including 22 of 23 in a hectic third period when Finland threw everything it had at the net.
It was a nice win for the US and they are now but one game away from a shot at WCJ gold. However, the Swedes will pose quite a test for the Yanks Sunday night.
In a shocker earlier Saturday, Switzerland defeated the Russian team 3-2 in overtime to eliminate the Russians from gold medal contention. The Swiss scored the game-tying goal with 33 seconds remaining in regulation and won it almost ten minutes into the overtime session. Switzerland will face Canada Sunday evening in Saskatoon.
Olympic Team USA Has Strong WCHA Flavor
The annual Winter Classic game (likely subject to a future Friday Rant) was played in Boston on New Year's Day and the unveiling of the USA Olympic Hockey roster coincided with the event. The team GM Brian Burke (Edina, MN) will take to Vancouver in February is young, inexperience, and questionable.
Only three players with previous Olympic experience were named to the roster: Jamie Langenbrunner (Cloquet, MN - 1998), Chris Drury (Trumbull, CT - 2002, 2006), and Brian Rafalski (Dearborn, MI - 2002, 2006), with Rafalski being the oldest at age 36. In fact, only five players were born in the decade of the 1970s: Langenbrunner, Drury, Rafalski, Tim Thomas (Flint, MI), and Ryan Malone (Pittsburgh, PA). With an average age of 26.7, team USA will be the youngest squad in Vancouver. Gone are the veterans like Mike Modano and Chris Chelios which dominated previous Olympic teams.
Coming off an eighth-place finish in the 2006 Torino games, the braintrust of the Olympic team felt this year's version needed to be different, and in that, they have succeeded.
A quick analysis of the roster shows some question marks on the blueline. Jack Johnson (Ann Arbor, MI) has been up-and-down in LA this season and Paul Martin (Elk River, MN) has missed significant time due to a broken forearm which required a second surgery last week. Whether or not he will even be ready for the games is debatable. If healthy, Martin would likely be in the US's top pair, but his injury situation clouds the picture. Ryan Suter (Madison, WI) and Rafalski are puck-movers, while Erik Johnson (Bloomington, MN), Mike Komisarek (West Islip, NY), and Brooks Orpik (Amherst, NY) are the stay-at-home types.
Up front, the forwards are very young. Zach Parise (Prior Lake, MN) is the big gun here, and Patrick Kane (Buffalo, NY), although the team's youngest player, is likely the most talented. Young stars like Phil Kessel (Madison, WI), Paul Stastny (St. Louis, MO), and Bobby Ryan (Cherry Hill, NJ) will also be interesting to watch. Burke elected to go big up front with guys like David Backes (Blaine, MN), Ryan Kesler (Livonia, MI), and Malone to grind things out. Ryan Callahan (Rochester, NY) is an interesting choice at center instead of a safer pick like Modano, Scott Gomez, and even Dustin Byfuglien. However, Burke and company wanted to go young.
In the nets, there are no question marks here. Ryan Miller (East Lansing, MI) will likely be the go-to guy, and Thomas will be solid behind him. Both are capable of standing on their heads. Youngster Jonathan Quick (Hamden, CT) will get some international experience and set himself up for future teams.
There are ten players on this roster with WCHA ties, broken down as follows:
Brian Burke deserves credit for sticking his neck out and selecting a team instead of an all-star team. However, it will like be another medal-less Olympics for the US.
Only three players with previous Olympic experience were named to the roster: Jamie Langenbrunner (Cloquet, MN - 1998), Chris Drury (Trumbull, CT - 2002, 2006), and Brian Rafalski (Dearborn, MI - 2002, 2006), with Rafalski being the oldest at age 36. In fact, only five players were born in the decade of the 1970s: Langenbrunner, Drury, Rafalski, Tim Thomas (Flint, MI), and Ryan Malone (Pittsburgh, PA). With an average age of 26.7, team USA will be the youngest squad in Vancouver. Gone are the veterans like Mike Modano and Chris Chelios which dominated previous Olympic teams.
Coming off an eighth-place finish in the 2006 Torino games, the braintrust of the Olympic team felt this year's version needed to be different, and in that, they have succeeded.
A quick analysis of the roster shows some question marks on the blueline. Jack Johnson (Ann Arbor, MI) has been up-and-down in LA this season and Paul Martin (Elk River, MN) has missed significant time due to a broken forearm which required a second surgery last week. Whether or not he will even be ready for the games is debatable. If healthy, Martin would likely be in the US's top pair, but his injury situation clouds the picture. Ryan Suter (Madison, WI) and Rafalski are puck-movers, while Erik Johnson (Bloomington, MN), Mike Komisarek (West Islip, NY), and Brooks Orpik (Amherst, NY) are the stay-at-home types.
Up front, the forwards are very young. Zach Parise (Prior Lake, MN) is the big gun here, and Patrick Kane (Buffalo, NY), although the team's youngest player, is likely the most talented. Young stars like Phil Kessel (Madison, WI), Paul Stastny (St. Louis, MO), and Bobby Ryan (Cherry Hill, NJ) will also be interesting to watch. Burke elected to go big up front with guys like David Backes (Blaine, MN), Ryan Kesler (Livonia, MI), and Malone to grind things out. Ryan Callahan (Rochester, NY) is an interesting choice at center instead of a safer pick like Modano, Scott Gomez, and even Dustin Byfuglien. However, Burke and company wanted to go young.
In the nets, there are no question marks here. Ryan Miller (East Lansing, MI) will likely be the go-to guy, and Thomas will be solid behind him. Both are capable of standing on their heads. Youngster Jonathan Quick (Hamden, CT) will get some international experience and set himself up for future teams.
There are ten players on this roster with WCHA ties, broken down as follows:
- Denver - Stastny
- Minnesota - E. Johnson, Martin, Kessel
- Minnesota State - Backes
- North Dakota - Parise
- St. Cloud State - Malone
- Wisconsin - Rafalski, Suter, Pavelski
- Connecticut (2) - Quick, Drury
- Michigan (5) - Miller, Thomas, J. Johnson, Rafalski, Kesler
- Minnesota (5) - E. Johnson, Martin, Backes, Langenbrunner, Parise
- Missouri (1) - Stastny
- New Jersey (1) - Ryan
- New York (5) - Komisarek, Orpik, Brown, Callahan, Kane
- Pennsylvania (1) - Malone
- Wisconsin (3) - Suter, Kessel, Pavelski
Brian Burke deserves credit for sticking his neck out and selecting a team instead of an all-star team. However, it will like be another medal-less Olympics for the US.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Back to the Ice for Gopher Pucksters
It has been three weeks since the Gopher hockey team has taken the ice in a game. Thanks to three victories in a row to close out the first half of the WCHA schedule, the Gophers find themselves 8-9-1 overall and 6-7-1 in WCHA play. That mark is good for seventh place in the conference, one point behind sixth place North Dakota. Pre-season prognosticators could not have predicted the Gophers and Sioux residing in seventh and sixth place, respectively. Perhaps 1-2, but not 6-7.
Perhaps more strikingly is that the Gophers are nowhere to be found in the PairWise standings after three months of play.
With the Dodge Holiday Classic taking place this weekend, the Gophers have a chance to continue their winning streak and keep some momentum going as they look toward a tough second half in the WCHA. However, their non-conference opponents this weekend - Bowling Green and either Northern Michigan or Clarkson - are a combined 13-32-8 and will provide no leverage in improving the Gophers' RPI mark. Next weekend, Minny plays another non-conference series against Harvard, and the Crimson are struggling mightily at 1-8-2 this young season.
Simply put, the Gophers will absolutely need to make a run in the WCHA in the second half.
That is definitely a possibility, although the team has shown little in the form of consistent play all season long. The Gophers have struggled on Friday nights this season (2-6-0 with three shutouts against) and have not managed much on specialty teams. Scoring has been sporadic all season long, and the team has battled the injury bug. At least the goaltending has been consistent.
Minny's second half conference opponents are as follows, with the current PairWise overall ranking in parentheses:
The Gophers put themselves into the situation in which they currently reside and now need to make some hay in the league. As fans of the WCHA, this is why conference play is so important. As Gopher fans, however, we're not sure if this year's collection has the wherewithal to make a sustained run toward the NCAA Tournament. With a regional at the Xcel Energy Center this spring, the Gophers are hosting for the second year in a row. If they miss out again, despite serving as a tournament host, calls for change will be loud.
Dodge Holiday Classic: The Gophers will face off against Bowling Green on Saturday night and will then face the winner of Northern Michigan and Clarkson on Sunday. The BGSU Falcons emerged from talk of eliminating the program last spring and have managed a horrible 2-14-2 start this season. Their 2-10-2-2 mark is last in the CCHA, and both of their victories have come via shootouts (The CCHA has adopted them this year). BGSU comes into Mariucci on an 0-6-1 winless string.
Freshman forward Jordan Samuels-Thomas leads the Falcons in scoring (6-9-15 in 18 games) and senior forwards Tomas Petruska (4-10-14) and Tommy Dee (6-5-11) follow. Goaltender Nick Eno (.901 Sv%; 3.14 GAA) has been decent in the nets. The Falcons' main problem has been that they just don't score goals, and have been out-scored 64-35 in their 18 games this season.
In the other semi-final, Northern Michigan will take on Clarkson. NMU is 7-8-4 on the season and is currently in 7th place in the CCHA. The Wildcats sport victories over UMD, Michigan State, and Notre Dame this season, but, like the Gophers, have struggled with consistency. Although Northern has scored 50 goals in its 19 games this season, the team has received production from junior forward Mark Olver (10-11-21), junior defenseman Erik Gustafsson (2-14-16), and junior forward Gregor Hanson (5-10-15). Brian Stewart (.908 Sv%, 3.00 GAA) and Reid Ellingson (.926 Sv%, 2.16 GAA) have both been solid in the nets for NMW.
Clarkson is 4-10-2 and is near the bottom of the ECAC standings. The Golden Knights have been out-scored 60-42 in their 16 games this season and their 42 goals scored rank eighth among the twelve ECAC teams, despite playing at least three more games than the others. Clarkson is led in scoring by senior forward Matt Beca (8-8-16), junior forward Scott Freeman (3-12-15), and sophomore defenseman Mark Borowiecki (6-7-13). Sophomore Paul Karpowich gets the bulk of playing time in the nets and has posted a .893 save percentage and 3.60 goals against average this season.
The Gophers are more talented than the other three teams in town this weekend and should sweep the two games. A Minnesota sweep would make it five victories in a row, with a chance for seven after next weekend's series against a poor Harvard squad, and would create an opportunity for some much-needed momentum as critical conference play returns.
Donny Puck Prediction: Gopher Sweep
Perhaps more strikingly is that the Gophers are nowhere to be found in the PairWise standings after three months of play.
With the Dodge Holiday Classic taking place this weekend, the Gophers have a chance to continue their winning streak and keep some momentum going as they look toward a tough second half in the WCHA. However, their non-conference opponents this weekend - Bowling Green and either Northern Michigan or Clarkson - are a combined 13-32-8 and will provide no leverage in improving the Gophers' RPI mark. Next weekend, Minny plays another non-conference series against Harvard, and the Crimson are struggling mightily at 1-8-2 this young season.
Simply put, the Gophers will absolutely need to make a run in the WCHA in the second half.
That is definitely a possibility, although the team has shown little in the form of consistent play all season long. The Gophers have struggled on Friday nights this season (2-6-0 with three shutouts against) and have not managed much on specialty teams. Scoring has been sporadic all season long, and the team has battled the injury bug. At least the goaltending has been consistent.
Minny's second half conference opponents are as follows, with the current PairWise overall ranking in parentheses:
- North Dakota (12)
- St. Cloud State (17)
- Alaska-Anchorage (NR)
- Denver (4)
- Colorado College (5)
- UMD (11)
- Wisconsin (7)
The Gophers put themselves into the situation in which they currently reside and now need to make some hay in the league. As fans of the WCHA, this is why conference play is so important. As Gopher fans, however, we're not sure if this year's collection has the wherewithal to make a sustained run toward the NCAA Tournament. With a regional at the Xcel Energy Center this spring, the Gophers are hosting for the second year in a row. If they miss out again, despite serving as a tournament host, calls for change will be loud.
Dodge Holiday Classic: The Gophers will face off against Bowling Green on Saturday night and will then face the winner of Northern Michigan and Clarkson on Sunday. The BGSU Falcons emerged from talk of eliminating the program last spring and have managed a horrible 2-14-2 start this season. Their 2-10-2-2 mark is last in the CCHA, and both of their victories have come via shootouts (The CCHA has adopted them this year). BGSU comes into Mariucci on an 0-6-1 winless string.
Freshman forward Jordan Samuels-Thomas leads the Falcons in scoring (6-9-15 in 18 games) and senior forwards Tomas Petruska (4-10-14) and Tommy Dee (6-5-11) follow. Goaltender Nick Eno (.901 Sv%; 3.14 GAA) has been decent in the nets. The Falcons' main problem has been that they just don't score goals, and have been out-scored 64-35 in their 18 games this season.
In the other semi-final, Northern Michigan will take on Clarkson. NMU is 7-8-4 on the season and is currently in 7th place in the CCHA. The Wildcats sport victories over UMD, Michigan State, and Notre Dame this season, but, like the Gophers, have struggled with consistency. Although Northern has scored 50 goals in its 19 games this season, the team has received production from junior forward Mark Olver (10-11-21), junior defenseman Erik Gustafsson (2-14-16), and junior forward Gregor Hanson (5-10-15). Brian Stewart (.908 Sv%, 3.00 GAA) and Reid Ellingson (.926 Sv%, 2.16 GAA) have both been solid in the nets for NMW.
Clarkson is 4-10-2 and is near the bottom of the ECAC standings. The Golden Knights have been out-scored 60-42 in their 16 games this season and their 42 goals scored rank eighth among the twelve ECAC teams, despite playing at least three more games than the others. Clarkson is led in scoring by senior forward Matt Beca (8-8-16), junior forward Scott Freeman (3-12-15), and sophomore defenseman Mark Borowiecki (6-7-13). Sophomore Paul Karpowich gets the bulk of playing time in the nets and has posted a .893 save percentage and 3.60 goals against average this season.
The Gophers are more talented than the other three teams in town this weekend and should sweep the two games. A Minnesota sweep would make it five victories in a row, with a chance for seven after next weekend's series against a poor Harvard squad, and would create an opportunity for some much-needed momentum as critical conference play returns.
Donny Puck Prediction: Gopher Sweep
More Insight Bowl Disappointment for Gophers
Minnesota lost in the Insight Bowl for the third time in four seasons, losing to Iowa State 14-13. Coach Tim Brewster's third seasons ends with a 6-7 mark.
Despite rolling up 434 yards of total offense, the Gophers could manage just 13 points in the game. The culprits for this disconnect include:
- A costly interception thrown by QB Adam Weber
- A crucial lost fumble by Mar'Queis Gray late in the fourth quarter when the Gophers looked to be marching in ISU territory for a potential lead
- 2-12 on third down attempts
- A missed field goal by Eric Ellestad
ISU scored the game's next 14 points and took a 14-3 lead into the locker room against a listless Minnesota offense. The Gophers moved the ball better in the third quarter, and were able to capitalize on a 23-yard TD strike to TE Nick Tow-Arnett. Ellestad's second field goal made the score 14-13 late in the third quarter.
The game turned against the Gophers in the fourth after the defense stuffed Iowa State and forced the Cyclones to punt. Gray had a fine run up the middle to put the ball into ISU territory, but later fumbled at the Iowa State 15 yard line with just over four minutes remaining to seal the game. The Cyclones won to improve to 7-6 in coach Paul Rhoads' first season at the helm in Ames.
McKnight had a career day receiving for the Gophers, catching seven passes for 124 yards. Weber was erratic again, and was 18-32 for 261 yards and a TD, and also tossed a pick. The Gophers' leading rusher was DeLeon Eskridge (13 carries for 50 yards), but Gray (3 for 34) and Kevin Whaley (11 for 42) also saw significant action.
The Gophers missed several opportunities in the game, which was seemingly the story of 2009 in a nutshell. This game was one of two which were truly "bad" losses - Illinois was the other. The Gophers had more talent than both Illinois and Iowa State, and an 8-5 finish sure is better than 6-7.
The post-mortem for the 2009 football season will come sometime next week, and I'll deliberate as to whether or not this team showed progress over last year's team. In the interim, Gopher fans everywhere will sit back and wonder what may have been for this squad in 2009, and certainly at the Insight Bowl.
US Falls to Canada in WJC
The United States dropped a 5-4 decision to Canada in the World Junior Championships on Thursday night, losing a lead late in the third period before getting beat in a shootout. The Americans are now 3-1 in the tourney and
Philip McRae (London Knights) tied the score for the US in the first period and Jordan Schroeder (U. of Minnesota) gave them the lead seven minutes into the second frame. After Canada tied the score four minutes later, Tyler Johnson scored short-handed to give the Americans a 3-2 lead with just 11 seconds remaining in the second.
Danny Kristo (U. of North Dakota) made it 4-2 just one minute into the final period before Canada came storming back before the partisan crowd in Saskatoon. Jordan Eberle scored his second of the night to cut the deficit to one, and Alex Pietrangelo tied the score with 4:15 remaining in the third.
After a scoreless overtime period, Canada won the game in a shootout.
Jack Campbell (Boston College) got the start in goal and turned aside 30 Canadian shots. Jerry D'Amigo (RPI) picked up two assists in the game.
The US will play Finland on Saturday in Saskatoon, as the juniors head into the single-elimination round of the tournament. The loss to Canada kept the Yanks from receiving a bye, which was won by Canada instead. Should the US beat the Finns, the next opponent would be Sweden on Sunday, also in Saskatoon.
I'll leave it to the readers to decide if a shootout should decide any tournament game, but I personally am fine with the result. The US lost a two-goal lead in the third period and have only themselves to blame for missing out on a bye. Now, it's time to take care of business against a couple of Scandinavian entries before possibly re-matching with the Canadians in the title game next Tuesday night. The Americans proved they can play with the elite teams, but now must win some games.
Philip McRae (London Knights) tied the score for the US in the first period and Jordan Schroeder (U. of Minnesota) gave them the lead seven minutes into the second frame. After Canada tied the score four minutes later, Tyler Johnson scored short-handed to give the Americans a 3-2 lead with just 11 seconds remaining in the second.
Danny Kristo (U. of North Dakota) made it 4-2 just one minute into the final period before Canada came storming back before the partisan crowd in Saskatoon. Jordan Eberle scored his second of the night to cut the deficit to one, and Alex Pietrangelo tied the score with 4:15 remaining in the third.
After a scoreless overtime period, Canada won the game in a shootout.
Jack Campbell (Boston College) got the start in goal and turned aside 30 Canadian shots. Jerry D'Amigo (RPI) picked up two assists in the game.
The US will play Finland on Saturday in Saskatoon, as the juniors head into the single-elimination round of the tournament. The loss to Canada kept the Yanks from receiving a bye, which was won by Canada instead. Should the US beat the Finns, the next opponent would be Sweden on Sunday, also in Saskatoon.
I'll leave it to the readers to decide if a shootout should decide any tournament game, but I personally am fine with the result. The US lost a two-goal lead in the third period and have only themselves to blame for missing out on a bye. Now, it's time to take care of business against a couple of Scandinavian entries before possibly re-matching with the Canadians in the title game next Tuesday night. The Americans proved they can play with the elite teams, but now must win some games.
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