Countless scouting eyes will be looking on tonight as surprise finalists Team USA take on hosts and tournament favorites Canada for World Junior Championships gold tonight. Despite how that last sentence reads, USA had Canada on the brink of defeat just 5 nights ago in the preliminary round. It took a third period comeback and later a shootout for Canada to take down the Americans for first place in Group A and a bye into the semifinals. USA was forced to take the scenic route, taking care of Finland in the quarterfinals and upsetting defending silver medalists Sweden in the semifinals.
Check out the IIHF preview here, and I'll be back at gametime (8pm ET) with another live blog. If you want to watch at home, the NHL Network will have live coverage and the Rangers prospects in the game all play on Team USA: Derek Stepan (C, #21), Chris Kreider (#20), and Ryan Bourque (#17).
First Period
0:00 - Mike Lee in net for the 3rd consecutive game. Jake Allen between the pipes for Canada. Derek Stepan in the pregame interview: "A good night for me is 5 or 6 hits." And he just happens to have 12 points in the tournament to lead Team USA. I love to hear this as a Rangers fan. Stepan wins the opening faceoff.
1:15 - Ryan Bourque with a great opening shift, using his speed and body to create pressure, a turnover, and a 3-on-2 rush.
2:40 - Tyler Johnson is a bit slow on the backcheck for USA and it leads to a Luke Adam goal. Jordan Caron gets the lone assist.
7:55 - Team USA has been very sloppy in their own end, and that will have to change soon or Canada is going to put a couple more goals on the board and make this really tough for USA.
10:08 - Johnson tries to redeem himself as he beats 2 Canadian defenders to the puck for a partial breakaway, but he loses an edge and goes hard into the boards instead.
13:54 - Chris Kreider skates into the zoneand rips a wrist shot into the far top corner. Assists to Palmieri and Jenks. 1-1
14:32 - Ryan Bourque fights off 2 Canadian forwards in front of the USA bench, gets the puck to Jordan Schroeder who comes in 2-on-1 and puts another wrist shot past Allen. Bourque and Donovan get the assists. 2-1 USA
16:03 - Canada survives a rough stretch, then takes advantage of more poor backchecking by USA and Greg Nemisz puts the puck behind Lee for the tie. Assists to Kadri and Hall.
19:21 - Alex Pietrangelo hits Jeremy Morin from behind in response to John Carlson's clean hit on Hall. That means the 2nd power play for Team USA and more importantly a 10 minute misconduct for Pietrangelo, one of their top defensemen. Team Canada is already shorthanded on the blueline since Travis Hamonic is out with a separated shoulder.
First Intermission - Neither team can be happy with the way they played for the first 20 minutes, so I guess it's fitting that we're tied heading to the second period. Team USA will have 1:21 remaining on their power play when the period begins and Pietrangelo will have 11:21 left in the box. Kreider and Bourque both had strong periods for USA, while Stepan seemed to start slow again.
Second Period
1:03 - John Carlson rips a slapshot from the point low to Allen's right for a power play goal. Palmieri did a nice job with the screen, not allowing Allen to see the puck. Assists to Kristo and McRae.
3:56 - A seemingly harmless shot hits Lee, pops up into the air, then falls into the net. Hall gets credit, with the assist to Adam. Jack Campbell comes off the bench to replace Lee.
11:55 - The sides traded penalty kills and Campbell has looked very strong since coming on in relief. Pietrangelo is back from his misconduct for Canada.
16:32 - USA has been having a lot of trouble clearing their zone again. They seem to go through stretches during every period where they just can't get the puck out of their defensive zone.
17:46 - On successive shifts Ryan Bourque goes down to a knee to block a slapshot while looking the shooter in the eye, then takes a huge hit along the board in the offensive zone to make a pass setting up a scoring chance.
Second Intermission - Team USA should consider themselves lucky to get out of that period still tied. Canada had the better of the play for the good part of the last 15 minutes, as Team USA couldn't clear the puck on a few occasions. Jack Campbell must have ice water running through his veins because he's been stellar since coming in for a shaky Mike Lee.
Third Period
4:12 - Stepan feeds D'Amigo on a 2-on-1 rush and Jerry D'Amigo does the rest.
6:23 - D'Amigo flips the puck in, but Allen bobbles it and Stepan is there to pick up the loose puck. He dekes to his backhand and buries it for a 5-3 USA lead. Allen has now given way to Martin Jones in the Canadian net.
8:35 - Team USA is buzzing now...clearing their zone, forcing Canadian turnovers, and dictating play.
14:45 - Campbell gives the puck away behind his own net, but recovers to make a nice save and maintain the 2 goal lead.
17:11 - Jordan Eberle cashes in on the power play after Palmieri is sent off for charging as he was pushed by Ellis. Assists to Hall and Pietrangelo.
18:25 - Eberle scores again to tie the game after Team USA couldn't clear the zone for a good minute and a half. Assists to Kadri and Ellis.
20:00 - Tied at 5...going to overtime.
Overtime
0:00 - OT is 4-on-4 and teams need to make the longer change, like the 2nd period. Sudden death period...shootout if tied.
1:27 - Bourque finds his way into the slot and lets go a wrister that Jones stops.
4:31 - John Carlson skates the puck all the way to the top of the circle on a 3-on-1 rush and fires a wrist shot past Jones low short side. John Ramage gets the assist. USA upsets Canada for the Gold Medal!!
Postgame notes: Derek Stepan is named player of the game for USA. Top 3 players of the tournament for USA: Tyler Johnson, Derek Stepan, and Jerry D'Amigo. Derek Stepan finished as the tournament leader with 14 points (4g, 10a). Jack Campbell deserved consideration for player of the game honors. He was lights out from the second he replaced Mike Lee, and this game probably doesn't make it to OT if not for his stellar play.
Rangers prospects: All 3 Rangers prospects played major roles in USA's gold medal winning performance tonight...
Derek Stepan seems to have a knack for turning it on in the third period. He was almost invisible offensively for 2 periods tonight and then picked up a goal and an assist in the third. For the tournament, 6 of his 14 points came in third periods.
Chris Kreider had an all around great game,creating opportunities with his speed as always. He was active physically and did a good job on the other side of the puck tonight to go along with his goal. He and Stepan were the forwards on the ice for the game-winner.
Ryan Bourque was one of the best USA players on the ice for the second game in a row. He was buzzing on the forecheck, and used a great individual effort to set up Schroeder's first period goal. He gave his all on every shift and it showed.
Showing posts with label wjc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wjc. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Live Blog - WJC Semifinal: USA vs. Sweden
Team USA takes on its second Scandinavian country in as many nights tonight when they play Sweden at 9pm ET in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in the World Junior Championship semifinals. Live blog starting at game time, with a postgame wrap-up at the bottom.
First Period
0:00 - After his 42 save performance last night, Mike Lee is in goal for USA again tonight. Derek Stepan wins the opening faceoff.
1:24 - USA out to a quick lead as Kyle Palmieri pokes a free puck from behind the net into the slot and Tyler Johnson roofs it. Palmieri gets the only assist although McRae forced the turnover with a big hit.
2:25 - Kreider forces a turnover that leads to another quick USA scoring chance. Markstrom makes a couple of nice saves for Sweden.
7:16 - USA goes on the game's first power play as a Swedish skater is sent off for hooking.
13:35 - Scramble in front of the USA net...a couple of nice saves by Lee, but even more that didn't make it to him.
16:01 - Ryan Bourque drives to the slot from the right point and creates a great scoring chance for himself, but shoots high.
19:45 - Bourque just created another great scoring chance, sending a dangerous pass across the crease, but no one was there to finish.
20:00 - WOW! Chris Kreider just showed off his speed again, and I think this was the fastest I've seen him. He skated in hard alone on the forecheck, poked the puck away from one defenseman, and almost got to the far corner before the second Swedish defenseman.
First Intermission: A decent overall period by the American side, but they were getting outworked by the Swedes for the middle portion of the period. For coming into this game as the underdog, you have to be happy with a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes. NHL Network had a nice feature on Ryan Bourque during the intermission, with him talking about having his father as his coach when he was younger and Patrick Roy as his Junior coach now. He said he used to butt heads with his dad a lot because he was "an immature kid" but that he realized that he should probably listen to his Hall of Fame father Ray.
Second Period
0:25 - Stepan completely undresses a Swedish defenseman but is stopped by Markstrom. He drew a penalty on the play by driving hard to the net with the puck.
4:45 - Bourque just made a great defensive read to block a high percentage shot. As the color commentator just said: "Bourque has been the best player on the ice for USA for a period and change now."
4:17 - Sweden ties the game after Lander skates a rebound around Lee and fires it home. Assists to Rodin and Andersson.
7:29 - Jan Erixon's son Tim gets whistled for interfering with Jerry D'Amigo. Sweden has the best penalty kill in the tournament and it's clear why...they don't give anyone time to set up and they make it hard to get into the zone. Back at even strength now.
7:31 - Bourque takes a rare faceoff, pokes it forward, then draws a tripping call while trying to retrieve it.
10:24 - Huge rebound save by Markstrom robs USA of a 2-1 lead. Announcers just compared him to Lundqvist.
12:17 - Lander pots his 2nd rebound goal for Sweden. Stepan was beaten to the net by Rodin on the original shot. Assists to Rodin and Silfverberg.
15:06 - Skating 4-on-4 D'Amigo skates in on a 2-on-1 with Kreider, elects to shoot and it pays off. Assist to Carlson.
16:32 - Stepan takes the first USA penalty of the night by flipping the puck over the glass.
0:00 - Markstrom sprung Sweden on a 3-on-1 break during their power play, but Cam fowler did a great job breaking it up and not allowing a shot.
Second Intermission: 2-2 after 40 minutes. Despite Sweden having the better of the play in both periods,Team USA is hanging in there and has found a way to lead the Swedes 26-19 in shots on goal. Something tells me that if USA wants to win this game, they're going to have to cash in on one of their power play attempts...they're currently 0-for 4.
Third Period
0:39 - D'Amigo loses the puck a center ice then takes a late elbow to the head and stays down briefly. Johansson gets sent off for a 5 minute major. USA needs to put one on the board here.
5:37 - Sweden kills off the major penalty and picks up a power play of their own as Silfverberg is slashed on a shorthanded breakaway.
7:07 - Stepan and Bourque have a good penalty killing shift and create 2 shorthanded scoring chances, but don't get any shots on net.
9:24 - Another good shift by Ryan Bourque getting open on a 3-on-3 rush up the ice, and creating energy for Team USA behind the net.
12:34 - The puck comes to John Carlson at the right point and he decides to let a slapshot rip and it pays off as it gets past Markstrom as Kreider created some distraction in front. Goal is unassisted.
13:48 - Bourque takes a delay of game penalty after finding a lose puck in front of Lee and flipping it over the glass.
14:15 - Another strong PK shift by Stepan, who creates a turnover and a scoring chance.
15:28 - D'Amigo with another goal, this time shorthanded. Stepan did a great job of stealing the puck from the Swedish defender at the point and skated it into the Swedish zone before coaxing the lone defender down to his belly and finding D'Amigo in the slot on the 2-on-1...and the announcers laud praise on Stepan again. "That's a great play by Stepan on the 2-on-1. That's something you expect to see out of an NHL player. Boy, is that 2nd round pick by the NY Rangers looking good."
17:55 - ANOTHER strong shift by Bourque, getting in hard on the forecheck, stealing the puck away, and getting a bad angle shot on net. Markstrom leaves Sweden's net for an extra attacker.
19:07 - Hard forecheck by Kreider frees up the puck and AJ Jenks puts it in the empty net. Kreider gets the lone assist. 5-2 USA
USA 5, Sweden 2: Team USA gets what it wanted...guaranteed hardware and a rematch with Canada on Tuesday in the Gold Medal Game. Jerry D'Amigo was named USA Player of the Game with his 2 goal performance. I agree with D'Amigo's assessment in his postgame interview: "It was tough We were slow in the first two periods, but we found a way to get it done."
Rangers prospects: Bourque, Kreider, and Stepan all had good games again for Team USA. In my opinion, this was Bourque's best game of the tournament so far. He created energy all around and was especially effective on the forecheck and penalty kill. Stepan was strong away from the puck, created a few good scoring chances for himself, and did a great job setting up D'Amigo for the goal that effectively put the game away at 4-2. Kreider again used his speed as his biggest weapon, getting good pressure on the forecheck and creating chances for his teammates, as well as going to the front of the net and creating distractions in front of Markstrom.
Gold Medal Game: USA takes on Canada at 8pm ET Tuesday night for the Gold Medal. The game will be shown live on the NHL Network.
First Period
0:00 - After his 42 save performance last night, Mike Lee is in goal for USA again tonight. Derek Stepan wins the opening faceoff.
1:24 - USA out to a quick lead as Kyle Palmieri pokes a free puck from behind the net into the slot and Tyler Johnson roofs it. Palmieri gets the only assist although McRae forced the turnover with a big hit.
2:25 - Kreider forces a turnover that leads to another quick USA scoring chance. Markstrom makes a couple of nice saves for Sweden.
7:16 - USA goes on the game's first power play as a Swedish skater is sent off for hooking.
13:35 - Scramble in front of the USA net...a couple of nice saves by Lee, but even more that didn't make it to him.
16:01 - Ryan Bourque drives to the slot from the right point and creates a great scoring chance for himself, but shoots high.
19:45 - Bourque just created another great scoring chance, sending a dangerous pass across the crease, but no one was there to finish.
20:00 - WOW! Chris Kreider just showed off his speed again, and I think this was the fastest I've seen him. He skated in hard alone on the forecheck, poked the puck away from one defenseman, and almost got to the far corner before the second Swedish defenseman.
First Intermission: A decent overall period by the American side, but they were getting outworked by the Swedes for the middle portion of the period. For coming into this game as the underdog, you have to be happy with a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes. NHL Network had a nice feature on Ryan Bourque during the intermission, with him talking about having his father as his coach when he was younger and Patrick Roy as his Junior coach now. He said he used to butt heads with his dad a lot because he was "an immature kid" but that he realized that he should probably listen to his Hall of Fame father Ray.
Second Period
0:25 - Stepan completely undresses a Swedish defenseman but is stopped by Markstrom. He drew a penalty on the play by driving hard to the net with the puck.
4:45 - Bourque just made a great defensive read to block a high percentage shot. As the color commentator just said: "Bourque has been the best player on the ice for USA for a period and change now."
4:17 - Sweden ties the game after Lander skates a rebound around Lee and fires it home. Assists to Rodin and Andersson.
7:29 - Jan Erixon's son Tim gets whistled for interfering with Jerry D'Amigo. Sweden has the best penalty kill in the tournament and it's clear why...they don't give anyone time to set up and they make it hard to get into the zone. Back at even strength now.
7:31 - Bourque takes a rare faceoff, pokes it forward, then draws a tripping call while trying to retrieve it.
10:24 - Huge rebound save by Markstrom robs USA of a 2-1 lead. Announcers just compared him to Lundqvist.
12:17 - Lander pots his 2nd rebound goal for Sweden. Stepan was beaten to the net by Rodin on the original shot. Assists to Rodin and Silfverberg.
15:06 - Skating 4-on-4 D'Amigo skates in on a 2-on-1 with Kreider, elects to shoot and it pays off. Assist to Carlson.
16:32 - Stepan takes the first USA penalty of the night by flipping the puck over the glass.
0:00 - Markstrom sprung Sweden on a 3-on-1 break during their power play, but Cam fowler did a great job breaking it up and not allowing a shot.
Second Intermission: 2-2 after 40 minutes. Despite Sweden having the better of the play in both periods,Team USA is hanging in there and has found a way to lead the Swedes 26-19 in shots on goal. Something tells me that if USA wants to win this game, they're going to have to cash in on one of their power play attempts...they're currently 0-for 4.
Third Period
0:39 - D'Amigo loses the puck a center ice then takes a late elbow to the head and stays down briefly. Johansson gets sent off for a 5 minute major. USA needs to put one on the board here.
5:37 - Sweden kills off the major penalty and picks up a power play of their own as Silfverberg is slashed on a shorthanded breakaway.
7:07 - Stepan and Bourque have a good penalty killing shift and create 2 shorthanded scoring chances, but don't get any shots on net.
9:24 - Another good shift by Ryan Bourque getting open on a 3-on-3 rush up the ice, and creating energy for Team USA behind the net.
12:34 - The puck comes to John Carlson at the right point and he decides to let a slapshot rip and it pays off as it gets past Markstrom as Kreider created some distraction in front. Goal is unassisted.
13:48 - Bourque takes a delay of game penalty after finding a lose puck in front of Lee and flipping it over the glass.
14:15 - Another strong PK shift by Stepan, who creates a turnover and a scoring chance.
15:28 - D'Amigo with another goal, this time shorthanded. Stepan did a great job of stealing the puck from the Swedish defender at the point and skated it into the Swedish zone before coaxing the lone defender down to his belly and finding D'Amigo in the slot on the 2-on-1...and the announcers laud praise on Stepan again. "That's a great play by Stepan on the 2-on-1. That's something you expect to see out of an NHL player. Boy, is that 2nd round pick by the NY Rangers looking good."
17:55 - ANOTHER strong shift by Bourque, getting in hard on the forecheck, stealing the puck away, and getting a bad angle shot on net. Markstrom leaves Sweden's net for an extra attacker.
19:07 - Hard forecheck by Kreider frees up the puck and AJ Jenks puts it in the empty net. Kreider gets the lone assist. 5-2 USA
USA 5, Sweden 2: Team USA gets what it wanted...guaranteed hardware and a rematch with Canada on Tuesday in the Gold Medal Game. Jerry D'Amigo was named USA Player of the Game with his 2 goal performance. I agree with D'Amigo's assessment in his postgame interview: "It was tough We were slow in the first two periods, but we found a way to get it done."
Rangers prospects: Bourque, Kreider, and Stepan all had good games again for Team USA. In my opinion, this was Bourque's best game of the tournament so far. He created energy all around and was especially effective on the forecheck and penalty kill. Stepan was strong away from the puck, created a few good scoring chances for himself, and did a great job setting up D'Amigo for the goal that effectively put the game away at 4-2. Kreider again used his speed as his biggest weapon, getting good pressure on the forecheck and creating chances for his teammates, as well as going to the front of the net and creating distractions in front of Markstrom.
Gold Medal Game: USA takes on Canada at 8pm ET Tuesday night for the Gold Medal. The game will be shown live on the NHL Network.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Live Blog - WJC Quarterfinal: USA vs. Finland
First Period
0:00 - Mike Lee starting in net for USA...he's been the weaker of the 2 netminders in my opinion.
2:14 - Kyle Palmieri scores on a rush to put USA up 1-0. Assists to McRae and Schroeder.
5:44 - Strong backcheck by Chris Kreider to break up a Finland odd man rush.
6:33 - PPG by Matt Donovan puts USA up 2-0. Kreider had set up in the slot and drew the attention of 2 Finnish defenders allowing Donovan to sneak in from the point and tap home a cross-ice pass. Finns were down a man for a Too Many Men call. Assists to Schroeder and Stepan. Schroeder just tied Jeremy Roenick for the all-time lead in points for USA in junior play with 25.
20:00 - USA controlled play for most of the period, but goes into the intermission up 2-0 and tied 7-7 in shots. Ryan Bourque had a strong shift with Palmieri and Schroeder to end the period. Kreider has been doing a good job of using his size and speed to create room in the corners so far tonight. Stepan continuing his poise on the puck.
Second Period
2:15 - USA controlling play, but not spending a whole lot of time in the Finnish zone.
4:40 - Hard forecheck by Chris Kreider creates a scoring chance for USA, but Morin is stopped in front.
9:37 - Derek Stepan finishes a good hard check on a Finnish blueliner, who stays down and later goes off to the locker room.
10:48 - On consecutive plays, Bourque and Kreider both do a good job of creating some offense in the zone for USA. Then Kreider is stopped on a wraparound.
12:51 - Danny Kristo drives to the net from the half boards, then dishes to Jerry D'Amigo who lifts it over the Finnish goalie. 3-0 USA.
15:17 - Eero Elo gets Finland on the board by following his shot to the net and putting the rebound over Lee's shoulder. Assists to Kivisto and Lujonen.
19:35 - Ryan Bourque heads to the penalty box for tripping. He skated to the front of his own net to defend, but clearly took down the Finnish attacker.
update - Stepan was given the 2nd assist on D'Amigo's goal. That gives him 11 points for the tournament, which leads all players.
Third Period
1:45 - Kreider helps kill off the end of Bourque's minor by chipping the puck down ice. A minute later he uses his speed to chase down a dump in and get it to Morin. Kreider then drives to the net, takes a feed and buries it high glove side. 4-1 USA. Assists to Morin and Jenks.
2:54 - Bourque lays a huge open ice hit on a Finnish attacker.
5:07 - Sloppy play in the defensive zone by Team USA, but Lee makes a couple of nice saves to maintain the 3 goal lead.
8:43 - The announcers just described the past few minutes as "sort of like ping pong in the neutral zone with not much puck possession. Team USA has gotten away from their game a bit." Seconds later, Lee makes the save of the game after a Finish forward was left alone in the slot.
14:31 - Lee lets a shot slip through him and Iiro Pakarinen slams it home. 4-2 USA. the Finns look to have gained a step in the past 2 minutes. Assists to Ikonen and Sointu
15:47 - Palmieri sent off for goalie interference after bowling over Finland's goalie. This is going to be a huge PK for team USA in terms of control of the game.
18:25 - Timeout finland. USA killed off the entire 2 minutes as Lee made a few more big saves. Finnish goalie on the bench in favor of an extra skater.
19:07 - Jerry D'Amigo makes a heads up play to block a shot at the point, chase the puck down and put it into the empty net. Goal is unassisted.
19:16 - Danny Kristo skates in and puts another one in the net. Assists to Schroeder and Carlson. With the assist, Schroeder is now the all-time leader in points for USA.
USA 6, Finland 2: Big win tonight for Team USA despite playing far from their best hockey. They have a quick turnaround, as they'll take on Sweden tomorrow night at 9pm ET in the semifinals. The winner of that game will play the winner of Canada and Switzerland, who used a 3rd periot comeback and overtime winner to upset Russia in the other quarterfinal. Mike Lee came up big in net, making 42 saves on 44 Finland shots, and was deservingly named USA's Player of the Game. It's really nice to see some of the USA players singing along as the national anthem is played postgame.
Rangers prospects: Kreider again had a very strong game and is tied with Danny Kristo for the team lead in goals with 5. He's had a very strong tournament thus far and I can't help but to be excited about the idea of him wearing a Rangers jersey in a couple of years. I was much more impressed with Ryan Bourque than Derek Stepan in this game...it looked to me like Stepan came out a bit flat tonight, but I'll look for him to rebound with a strong game tomorrow night. Bourque played a more physical game and did a good job at both ends of the ice.
0:00 - Mike Lee starting in net for USA...he's been the weaker of the 2 netminders in my opinion.
2:14 - Kyle Palmieri scores on a rush to put USA up 1-0. Assists to McRae and Schroeder.
5:44 - Strong backcheck by Chris Kreider to break up a Finland odd man rush.
6:33 - PPG by Matt Donovan puts USA up 2-0. Kreider had set up in the slot and drew the attention of 2 Finnish defenders allowing Donovan to sneak in from the point and tap home a cross-ice pass. Finns were down a man for a Too Many Men call. Assists to Schroeder and Stepan. Schroeder just tied Jeremy Roenick for the all-time lead in points for USA in junior play with 25.
20:00 - USA controlled play for most of the period, but goes into the intermission up 2-0 and tied 7-7 in shots. Ryan Bourque had a strong shift with Palmieri and Schroeder to end the period. Kreider has been doing a good job of using his size and speed to create room in the corners so far tonight. Stepan continuing his poise on the puck.
Second Period
2:15 - USA controlling play, but not spending a whole lot of time in the Finnish zone.
4:40 - Hard forecheck by Chris Kreider creates a scoring chance for USA, but Morin is stopped in front.
9:37 - Derek Stepan finishes a good hard check on a Finnish blueliner, who stays down and later goes off to the locker room.
10:48 - On consecutive plays, Bourque and Kreider both do a good job of creating some offense in the zone for USA. Then Kreider is stopped on a wraparound.
12:51 - Danny Kristo drives to the net from the half boards, then dishes to Jerry D'Amigo who lifts it over the Finnish goalie. 3-0 USA.
15:17 - Eero Elo gets Finland on the board by following his shot to the net and putting the rebound over Lee's shoulder. Assists to Kivisto and Lujonen.
19:35 - Ryan Bourque heads to the penalty box for tripping. He skated to the front of his own net to defend, but clearly took down the Finnish attacker.
update - Stepan was given the 2nd assist on D'Amigo's goal. That gives him 11 points for the tournament, which leads all players.
Third Period
1:45 - Kreider helps kill off the end of Bourque's minor by chipping the puck down ice. A minute later he uses his speed to chase down a dump in and get it to Morin. Kreider then drives to the net, takes a feed and buries it high glove side. 4-1 USA. Assists to Morin and Jenks.
2:54 - Bourque lays a huge open ice hit on a Finnish attacker.
5:07 - Sloppy play in the defensive zone by Team USA, but Lee makes a couple of nice saves to maintain the 3 goal lead.
8:43 - The announcers just described the past few minutes as "sort of like ping pong in the neutral zone with not much puck possession. Team USA has gotten away from their game a bit." Seconds later, Lee makes the save of the game after a Finish forward was left alone in the slot.
14:31 - Lee lets a shot slip through him and Iiro Pakarinen slams it home. 4-2 USA. the Finns look to have gained a step in the past 2 minutes. Assists to Ikonen and Sointu
15:47 - Palmieri sent off for goalie interference after bowling over Finland's goalie. This is going to be a huge PK for team USA in terms of control of the game.
18:25 - Timeout finland. USA killed off the entire 2 minutes as Lee made a few more big saves. Finnish goalie on the bench in favor of an extra skater.
19:07 - Jerry D'Amigo makes a heads up play to block a shot at the point, chase the puck down and put it into the empty net. Goal is unassisted.
19:16 - Danny Kristo skates in and puts another one in the net. Assists to Schroeder and Carlson. With the assist, Schroeder is now the all-time leader in points for USA.
USA 6, Finland 2: Big win tonight for Team USA despite playing far from their best hockey. They have a quick turnaround, as they'll take on Sweden tomorrow night at 9pm ET in the semifinals. The winner of that game will play the winner of Canada and Switzerland, who used a 3rd periot comeback and overtime winner to upset Russia in the other quarterfinal. Mike Lee came up big in net, making 42 saves on 44 Finland shots, and was deservingly named USA's Player of the Game. It's really nice to see some of the USA players singing along as the national anthem is played postgame.
Rangers prospects: Kreider again had a very strong game and is tied with Danny Kristo for the team lead in goals with 5. He's had a very strong tournament thus far and I can't help but to be excited about the idea of him wearing a Rangers jersey in a couple of years. I was much more impressed with Ryan Bourque than Derek Stepan in this game...it looked to me like Stepan came out a bit flat tonight, but I'll look for him to rebound with a strong game tomorrow night. Bourque played a more physical game and did a good job at both ends of the ice.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Notes from WJC - USA vs. Canada 12/31
Canada 5, USA 4 (SO)
Due to the New Year's Eve festivities, I was not able to see all of what was a phenomenal game from all I've heard. I do have a few reactions from the coverage I was able to catch...
Chris Kreider drew his second penalty shot in as many games by using his size and speed to make a Canadian defenseman look like a statue in the slot. He was tripped down after creating a partial breakaway, but failed to convert on the penalty shot this time as the Canadian netminder forced his shot wide. Derek Stepan continues to impress me with his poise on the puck and his leadership. He did a good job defensively, effectively moved the puck up ice, and uses his size and sense well. After Jordan Schroeder was stopped to end the shootout and the game, the first thing Stepan did was talk to USA goalie Jack Campbell and try to lift his spirits. The more I watch him play, the more I can't wait to see him wearing a Blueshirt! Ryan Bourque seemed to continue skating better and did a good job defensively in the efforts I saw.
Team USA returns to action to face Finland in the quarterfinals on Saturday (1/2) at 9pm ET. the game will be broadcast live on the NHL Network. The winner of that game will face Sweden at 9pm Sunday in the semifinal round.
Due to the New Year's Eve festivities, I was not able to see all of what was a phenomenal game from all I've heard. I do have a few reactions from the coverage I was able to catch...
Chris Kreider drew his second penalty shot in as many games by using his size and speed to make a Canadian defenseman look like a statue in the slot. He was tripped down after creating a partial breakaway, but failed to convert on the penalty shot this time as the Canadian netminder forced his shot wide. Derek Stepan continues to impress me with his poise on the puck and his leadership. He did a good job defensively, effectively moved the puck up ice, and uses his size and sense well. After Jordan Schroeder was stopped to end the shootout and the game, the first thing Stepan did was talk to USA goalie Jack Campbell and try to lift his spirits. The more I watch him play, the more I can't wait to see him wearing a Blueshirt! Ryan Bourque seemed to continue skating better and did a good job defensively in the efforts I saw.
Team USA returns to action to face Finland in the quarterfinals on Saturday (1/2) at 9pm ET. the game will be broadcast live on the NHL Network. The winner of that game will face Sweden at 9pm Sunday in the semifinal round.
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
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
Notes from World Junior Championships - USA vs. Slovakia 12/26:
Pre-game notes: Rangers draft picks Ryan Bourque, Chris Kreider, and Derek Stepan took the ice last night for the first game in their quest for gold on Team USA at the WJC in Saskatoon. Stepan was named the team captain and also centers one of USA's top lines and its top power play unit. He, Bourque, and Kreider each skate on different lines, but Kreider also sees time on the top PP unit with Stepan. Luke Walker, who the Rangers brought to the Traverse City prospect tournament in September on a tryout but is currently an unsigned free agent, skates on the 4th line.
WJC TV Schedule (all games on NHL Network):
Sunday, December 27 USA vs. Switzerland 4pm
Czech Rep. vs. Finland 6pm
Tuesday, December 29 USA vs. Latvia 4pm
Thursday, December 31 USA vs. Canada 8pm
(Note: This schedule is only for games involving Rangers prospects.)
click below to read more on the play of the Rangers prospects
WJC TV Schedule (all games on NHL Network):
Sunday, December 27 USA vs. Switzerland 4pm
Czech Rep. vs. Finland 6pm
Tuesday, December 29 USA vs. Latvia 4pm
Thursday, December 31 USA vs. Canada 8pm
(Note: This schedule is only for games involving Rangers prospects.)
click below to read more on the play of the Rangers prospects
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