Wednesday, December 23, 2009

The Americans fall to the Czech's

Press Release

MOOSE JAW, Sask. - Ryan Bourque (Boxford, Mass.) notched a third-period game-tying goal, but a squad of U.S. National Junior Team candidates fell to the Czech Republic, 3-2, in a shootout here tonight at a sold-out Moose Jaw Civic Centre.

Tonight's game was the final exhibition for Team USA prior to the 2010 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship. The final U.S. National Junior Team roster will be announced Wednesday (Dec. 23), and Team USA will play its first game of the tournament on Saturday (Dec. 26) against Slovakia.

"It was a fast-paced game, but I think we got better as it went on," said Dean Blais, head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team. "We've got a few days now before the tournament begins to improve our chemistry and focus in on our goal."

The Czech Republic scored the lone first-period goal just over one minute into the contest when Tomas Kubalik slammed home a rebound during a goalmouth flurry. U.S. goalie Jack Campbell (Port Huron, Mich.) kept Team USA within one with back-to-back highlight-reel saves midway through the period. In the game's 10th minute, he batted down a high snapshot with the blade of his stick from a prone position and, off the next draw, made a post-to-post diving stop to thwart a wraparound attempt.

Chris Kreider's (Boxford, Mass./Boston University) power-play goal two minutes into the second period tied the game, 1-1. The rebound tally marked his third goal in two exhibition games with Team USA.

Campbell kept the game tied halfway through the frame, denying the Czech Republic's Stepan Novotny on a penalty shot before giving way to goalie Mike Lee (Roseau, Minn./St. Cloud State University) for the remainder of the game. The Czech Republic retook the lead five minutes later when Michal Hlinka's backhand shot crawled over Lee's glove and into the net.

Team USA tied the game just seconds after its ninth power play of the night expired, as Bourque chipped a rebound over goalie Jakup Sedlacek's shoulder to knot the score, 2-2. The U.S. outshot the Czech Republic, 18-6, in the third period.

A shootout followed the overtime period. Team USA failed to score on its three attempts, while Hlinka buried a quick snapshot to give the Czech Republic the victory. Team USA’s Campbell and Lee combined for a total of 30 saves, while the Czech Republic’s Sedlacek earned his team’s player of the game award after stopping 42 shots.

NOTES: Ryan Bourque was named Team USA's Player of the Game ... The 2010 U.S. National Junior Team roster will be announced tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. EST. The U.S. preliminary roster currently consists of 24 players, while the final roster will have only 22 players ... For a list of the preliminary roster players and their 2009-10 season stats, click here... Only 22 players skated for Team USA tonight, with Jerry D'Amigo (Binghamton, N.Y.) and Jason Zucker (Las Vegas, Nev.) serving as scratches ... The 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship will run Dec. 26 - Jan. 5 in Regina and Saskatoon, Sask. For Team USA's full schedule, click here... For full coverage of the 2010 U.S. National Junior Team, including photos, videos and features, click here.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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