Sunday, December 27, 2009

Notes from WJC - USA vs. Switzerland 12/27

Chris Kreider (#20): Kreider had a nice deflection of Cam Fowler's point shot that ended up being the game-winner on a 2nd period power play.  He used his speed to backcheck very effectively and also to draw a 3rd period penalty by breaking into the offensive zone and getting tripped up.


Derek Stepan (#21, C): Stepan picked up the second assist on Kreider's power play goal by setting up Fowler for the one-timer.  He again played an effective all around game, and contributed at even strength, on the power play, and also on the PK.

Ryan Bourque (#17): Bourque had a much stronger game today than he did in yesterday's victory of Slovakia.  He skated better, handled the puck better, and chipped in the primary assist on Matt Donovan's 3rd period tally.  He also did a much better job of finding open space both with and without the puck, as well as backchecking.


USA 3, Switzerland 0:  17-year old USA goalie Jack Campbell was the best player on the ice this afternoon, making many difficult saves and almost single handedly staving off a Swiss upset in posting a 22 save shutout...The Swiss looked much fresher than Team USA in the first period.  Swiss goalie Benjamin Conz's game--46 saves on 49 shots--was as good as, if not better than, Campbell's showing.  His performance probably kept the score from being closer to 10-0.



Remaining USA opening round schedule:
Tuesday, December 29     USA vs. Latvia               4pm
Thursday, December 31    USA vs. Canada             8pm

--Both games will be televised on NHL Network

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