USA finishes fourth

Press Release

BRECLAV, Czech Republic- The U.S. Under-18 Select Team fell to Sweden, 9-2, in the third-place game at the 2009 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament here today. Team USA finished the tournament in fourth place with a 1-1-0-2 record and secured its best finish since claiming second in the 2006 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka.

"We're obviously extremely disappointed in the outcome with a game that meant so much for all of us," said Eric Rud, head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Select Team. "Sweden played outstanding today, and the better team definitely won."

Sweden scored the game's opening goal less than 1:30 into the game and added another tally in the first period to take a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. Sweden added two more goals in the first seven minutes of the second period to take a 4-0 advantage.

Connor Brickley (Everett, Mass.) netted Team USA's first goal on the power-play at 9:50 of the second period. Austin Watson (Ypsilanti, Mich.) sent a pass to Kevin Hayes (Dorchester, Mass.) who pulled up at the top of the circle and fired a cross-ice pass to Brickley that he sent past the Swedish goaltender.

After Sweden took a 6-1 advantage midway through the second period, Kyle Rau (Eden Prairie, Minn.), who was named Team USA's player of the game, scored from his back at 15:56 of the second period to close the gap, 6-2. Nick Bjugstad (Coon Rapids, Minn.) and Ben Marshall (Grant, Minn.) also picked up assists on the play.

Sweden scored once more in the second period and twice in the final frame to account for the 9-2 final.

Both U.S. netminders Cody Campbell (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Zane Gothberg (Thief River Falls, Minn.) saw action in the game.




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