USA loses to Russia 7-4 in the U17 World Hockey Challenge Final

The USA was hoping to get revenge from the Team's only Group Stage Loss against Russia back on December 30 when Russian Goalie Nikita Serebryakov made 51 saves in a 3-2 win, despite a hard charging American Team that was beginning to figure him out late and that game that almost saw the Americans force OT in the 1st matchup.

This time, the Americans were caught up in a similar game where the Americans were able to fire up an impressive 49 shots on goal including 20 in the 3rd period, but it still wasn't enough as Russian Goalie was able to make the difference with the Russians leading 3-2 at the 2nd intermission.

It looked like the game would get away from the Americans in the 1st 8 minutes of the 3rd period when Sergei Tolchinski who scored on a penalty shot during a Short Handed Opportunity from a Rushan Rafikov Interference Penalty just 1:25 into the period, but the Penalty Shot Goal was good to give Russia a 4-2 lead.

Just 5 minutes later, Ivan Barbshev who was very impressive throughout the entire tournament scored his 4th goal of the event, it turned out to be such an important goal to go up by 3 at 5-2. It turned out to be a very important goal as the Americans J.T. Compher & Anthony Lewis scored twice with J.T. Compher & Anthony Lewis scoring within 3 minutes of each other to make it a 5-4 game with just 2:04 left in the 3rd period.  However, the Americans couldn't get any closer as the Russians scored two Empty Net Goals by Valeri Nichushkin & Sergei Tolchinski made it the 7-4 Final for Russia to win their 1st U17 World Hockey Challenge Title since 2000.

While the Americans won the Silver Medal for the 2nd straight year, overall the U17 World Hockey Challenge has been a strong tournament for the USA where they have finished on the Medal Podium every year since 2006, including a Gold Medal back in 2010 when the tournament was held in Timmins, Ontario.

Final Tournament Rankings

Gold Medal: Russia

Silver Medal: USA

Bronze Medal: CAN Ontario

4th Place: Sweden

5th Place: CAN Pacific

6th Place: CAN Quebec

7th Place: CAN Atlantic

8th Place: Czech Republic

9th Place: Germany

10th Place: CAN West



Press Release by USA Hockey

USA 4  Russia 7  (1-0, 1-3, 2-4)

Bronze Medal Game: CAN Ontario 5  Sweden 2  (0-0, 1-2, 4-0)

From Windsor, Ontario: Will Butcher and J.T. Compher had one goal and one assist each, as the U.S. National U17 Team fell to Russia, 7-4, in the championship game here tonight at the WFCU Center. With the defeat, Team USA finished the Tournament with a 4-0-0-2 record and placed 2nd in the 10 Team Tournament for the 2nd straight year.

"The effort was there, but fatigue was a factor tonight," said Don Granato, head coach of the U.S. National U17 Team. "We had a great experience at this tournament and will continue to grow as a team moving forward."

Evan Allen opened the scoring at 8:38 of the first frame when he chipped in a rebound shot by Tyler Kelleher. Kelleher made a quick move to his left to shake the Russian Defender and create the opportunity in front of the net. Steven Santini collected the 2nd assist on the goal. Team USA Goaltender Hunter Miska turned aside 10 shots in the period as the U.S. went into the 1st intermission with a 1-0 lead.

Russia notched two straight goals, the first tally shorthanded, at 12:04 and 15:07 of the 2nd stanza to capture the lead. Team USA answered on the power play when Butcher wristed a shot from just inside the blueline. Keaton Thompson and Compher registered assists on the goal. Russia regained the lead in the period when a puck deflected off a U.S. Defensemen's skate and over Miska's shoulder.

A penalty shot goal while shorthanded at 3:20 of the final frame increased Russia's lead to 4-2. Russia added another tally to go up by three goals at 8:26. Team USA responded on the power play when Scott Savage sent a cross ice pass to Butcher, who found Compher open in the left faceoff circle. Compher snapped a shot past Russian Goalie Nikita Serebryakov for the goal. With just two minutes remaining in regulation, Anthony Lewis made it a one goal game with a tip in tally. Kelleher earned his 2nd assist of the night on the play.

Down one goal, Team USA looked to compete the comeback and opted to pull its goalie in favor of an extra attacker. But Russia notched two empty net goals in the final minute of play to secure the win, 7-4. Miska made 27 saves, while Serebryakov stopped 45 shots in the victory for Russia.

Tournament Notes: John Hayden was named Team USA's player of the game.     The U.S. went 2/7 on the power play, while Russia went 0/2 on the man advantage. Team USA Recorded 49 shots on goal, while Russia had 34.    Gage Ausmus and J.T. Compter was named to the all Tournament Team. For Team USA's Full Roster, click here      The 2012 World U17 Challenge includes two pools of five teams. Pool A consists of teams from CAN Atlantic, Germany, CAN Pacific, Russia & CAN West. Pool B consists of teams from the Czech Republic, CAN Quebec, Russia, CAN Atlantic & the USA.    Exclusive videos will be posted on the USA Hockey Youtube Channel under the U17 World Challenge Playlist.  Follow USA Hockey on Twitter at @USAHockeyScores on twitter for live scoring updates during the tournament. Scores will be designated with #U17CHAL.    All Games during the World U17 Challenge will be available via live webcasts at www.fasthockey.com.  For additional coverage, visit USA Hockey National Team Development Facebook Page.   The U.S. U17 & U18 National Teams train with the Hockey IntelliGym, a revolutionary new software program released on October 1, 2010 that Tran's hockey sense. To learn more, visit www.usahockeyintelligym.com



USA finishes 7th at WJC with 2-1 win over Switzerland

Despite a 1-3 record during the Group Stage earlier in this year's World Junior Hockey Championships, the Americans were able to finish the Relegation Round with a perfect 3-0 with a 2-1 win over Switzerland to finish 7th in this year's tournament and look to improve when the WJC heads to Ufa, Russia next season. 2013 will be the 1st time the WJC Tournament will be in Russia since 2001 when the Tournament was in Moscow.

Among the team leaders for the USA during this tournament was a bit inflated due to the big numbers put up against Denmark on opening night & against Latvia during the Relegation Round yesterday afternoon. Campbell finishes the Tournament with a 2.62 GAA & a .906 SV% as well. For Team Scoring Leaders for the United States, the goal scoring was lead by Minnesota Wild Prospect & Current Boston University Forward Charlie Coyle with 4 goals, while Austin Watson was the overall scoring leader with 9 points in the 6 games (3G 6A).

While other notables included a bit of a disappointing tournament by Emerson Etem with 4 assists with no goals and a -1 Plus/Minus Rating.

The team will return to their clubs and are expected to play their 1st game back either late this weekend or early next week as the usual custom of most teams allowing their returning players having a game or two off to rest from the tournament run.

As for other games yesterday, Latvia survived relegation with a 2-1 win over Denmark thanks to some great performances to Nikita Jevpalovs, Kriss Lipsbergs & Zemgus Girgensons who is being looked at as a possible top 10 overall pick for June's Draft this summer.

Also the Czechs used a strong 1st period against arch rival Slovakia to win 5-2 and finish in 5th Place in what was one of the better tournament showings in a long time.  Don't be surprised to see Czech Goalie Petr Mrazek to be named the Tournament's Best Goalie, and possibly the Player of the Tournament for the way that he was able to stonewall their opponent's, including getting 50+ saves in a 5-2 upset over the United States back on December 30.

The Medal Round will have Russia VS. Sweden for the Gold Medal, while Canada VS. Finland for the Bronze Medal. For the Canadians, this is the 1st time since 2001 that they will not be playing for the Gold Medal, while the Finns are coming off a heart breaking loss where they were up 2-0 against Sweden going into the 3rd period, only to lose in a shutout.

Switzerland 1  USA 2  (1-2, 0-0, 0-0)

Switzerland VS. USA Game Photos

Team USA 2012 WJC Tournament Stats

Jack Campbell Comments

Josh Archibald Comments

Jason Zucker Comments

Sven Beartschi Comments

Latvia sends Denmark Down

Czechs use strong 1st Period to beat Arch Rival Slovakia

Bronze Medal Preview: CAN VS. FIN

Gold Medal Preview: SWE VS. RUS

IIHF Press Release from Lucas Askroyd

From Calgary, Alberta: In the last game of the 2012 Relegation Round, the United States Edged Switzerland 2-1. The U.S. Finished 7th, while the Swiss will settle for 8th.

It is the worst finish for the underachieving Americans in the World Juniors since 1999, when they finished 8th. That was also the only other time they played in the Relegation Round. The U.S. Came in 7th in 1977, 1980 & 1990.

The Swiss also took a step backwards after coming fourth in 2010 and fifth in 2011. They were relegated in 2008 after a ninth place finish finish in the Czech Republic.

The teams exchanged goals rapidly in the 1st period. Austin Czarnik got the Americans on the board unassisted at 11:28, but just over three minutes later, Switzerland made it 1-1 with Gaetan Haas third goal of this tournament. Kevin Gravel promptly restored the U.S. Lead at 16:15.

And then the goalies ensured they would be no more scoring, even though the Americans peppered the Swiss Cage.

With less then 6 minutes to go in the 2nd, Swiss Net minder Tim Wolf lunged cross-crease to make a great Save on U.S. forward Brandon Saad and keep his team close.

Eight minutes into the third period, American Goalie Jack Campbell likewise stood his ground when Lino Martschini skated into the slot and let a zinger go from the hash marks.

The Swiss got a final chance at the equalizer when Bill Arnold was sent off for hooking with 26 seconds left. But even with Wolf pulled for the extra attacker, they was nothing doing.

The Americans out shot Switzerland 42-22 for the game.

Prior to the game, both teams had already secured their spots in the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championships in Ufa, Russia.

USA U17 Team advances to the U17 World Challenge Championship Game

Today's USA VS. Sweden Semifinal Game of the U17 World Challenge Tournament in Windsor, Ontario was mostly an uneventful game with both teams afraid to attack at times and with both teams playing for the OT, then when the Game got to OT, it felt like that Sweden was just playing to get the Shootout.

For the Americans, a smart & speedy game was played extremely well where each team had 6 penalties (12 Minutes for the USA & 20 Minutes for SWE) where both goalies in Sionas & Demko had to make some excellent saves in this low scoring affair.

Now that the Americans have clinched the Championship Game for tomorrow night, they will take on Russia who just defeated CAN Ontario also in OT 4-3 in a game that ended just a few minutes ago.

USA VS. Sweden Game Photos

Sweden 1 USA 2 (SO) (0-0, 1-0, 0-1, 0-0, 0-1)

Press Release from USA Hockey

From Windsor, Ontario: Evan Allen & Anthony Lewis each scored shootout goals, as the U.S. National U17 Team earned a SO Victory over Sweden 2-1, in the 2012 World Under 17 Hockey Challenge Semifinals here this evening at the WFCU Center (Home of the Windsor Spitfires/OHL). With the win, Team USA Improves to 4-0-0-1 and advances to the championship game against the CAN Ontario VS. Russia Semifinal Winner.

"It is a great feeling to be playing tomorrow in the Title Game," said Don Granato, head coach of the USA U17 Team. "We have to rest up and be ready for an exceptional team tomorrow in the final."

Team USA had 8 shots on goal in the opening frame, but couldn't put the puck past Swedish Net-minder Ebbe Sionas, Thatcher Demko turned aside both shots he faced in the period and the teams entered the first intermission scoreless.

Sweden seized the lead off shorthanded breakaway at 17:20 of the 2nd period. The U.S. Recorded nine shots on goal in the frame, but didn't score and trailed Sweden 1-0, after two periods.

Michael McCarron tied the game for the U.S. at 3:10 of the 3rd. Scott Savage & Dawson Cook collected assists on the tally. The goal would stand as the lone tally in the period in the game and contest was sent into a 10 minute overtime.

The U.S. Pressured Sweden in the OT Session, firing eight shots on net, while holding Sweden to three. Neither team potted the game-winning goal and the contest would be decided in a best-of-three shootout.

Demko turned aside Sweden's first shooter with a stick save. Allen skated in next for Team USA and slipped the puck past Sionas gave the U.S. a one goal advantage. Demko then made a sprawling pad save on the next Swedish Shooter to preserve the lead for Team USA. Shooting next for Team USA, Louis scored with a wrist shot into the top of the net to secure the victory for Team U.S, as it defeated Sweden 2-1.

Demko turned aside 22 shots for Team USA in the victory, while Sionas made 38 saves for Sweden for Sweden in the loss.

Notes: The USA National U17 Team will face the CAN Ontario VS. Russia Winner tomorrow (Jan. 4) at 7 PM EST.   The game will be held at the WFCU Center in Windsor, Ontario (Home of the Windsor Spitfires/OHL).    Thatcher Demko was named Team USA's Player of the Game.    The U.S. Went 0/4 on the Power Play, while Sweden went 0/5 with the man advantage.     Team USA recorded 39 shots on goal, while Sweden had 23.    Click here for Team USA's Full Roster.     The 2012 World U17 Hockey Challenge includes 2 pools of 5 teams each from CAN Atlantic, Germany, CAN Pacific, Russia, CAN West & the USA.   Exclusive videos will be posted on the USA Hockey Youtube Channel under the World U17 Challenge play list.   Follow @USAHockeyScores on twitter for live scoring updates during the tournament. Scores will be designated with #U17CHAL.    All games during the World U17 Challenge will be available via webcast at Fast Hockey  For additional coverage, visit USA Hockey National Team Development Program Facebook Page.    The USA National U17 & U18 Teams train with the IntelliGym, a revolutionary new software program released on October 1, 2010 that trains hockey sense. To learn more, visit www.usahockeyintelligym.com





USA Destories Latvia in the WJC Relegation Round

Wanting to show that it wasn't happy competing in this year's Relegation Round at the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championships, Team USA showed no mercy against Latvia in their 1st of 2 Relegation Round Games with a 12-2 win over Latvia this afternoon at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta. With this win, it secures the Americans Place at next year's World Junior Hockey Championships in Ufa, Russia.

They will finish up this year's WJC Tournament tomorrow at at 4:00 PM against Switzerland who thinks their victory against Denmark yesterday, they will be battling for pride and for 7th Place as the winner of the Relegation Round. However for Latvia & Denmark, it's a battle for survival as they will play at at 12:00 PM Tomorrow.

The winner will earn the final spot for next year's WJC Tournament, while the loser will finish in last place and will be relegated down to the WJC Division 1 Tournament with the likes of Norway, Austria & Slovenia next season in a location that is TBD.

As for tonight's Semifinals, 1st up is Sweden VS. Finland at 4:00 PM where Sweden ended up winning Group A with a 2-2-0-0 record with OT Wins over Sweden (4-3) & Switzerland (4-3), while also getting regulation wins over a plucky Latvia Team (9-4) and crushed Slovakia (9-1) with a 5 goal outburst in the 3rd period.

While Finland finished 2nd in Group B coming out to a bad start with an 8-1 loss to Canada in the Tournament's Opening Game. The Finns have comeback impressively with wins over the USA (4-1), Denmark (10-1) & the Czech Republic (4-0). Then in yesterday's Quarterfinal Game against Slovakia, it was the Finns winning a scoring fest with a 4 goal outburst in the 2nd period to win 8-5 over Slovakia.

The other Semifinal Game will come down to one of the world's oldest rivalries as Canada VS. Russia will duke it out in a rematch of last year's Championship Game where Russia pulled off an unlikely comeback from 3-0 down in the 3rd period to win 5-3 in last year's Gold Medal Game to win the WJC for the 1st time since 2003.

Canada had a perfect Group Stage with wins over the USA (3-2), Finland (8-3), Czech Republic (5-0) & Denmark (10-2) as they look to win the Nations first Gold Medal since 2009 when Canada won in Ottawa, Ontario.

Finally for Russia, a strong 3-0-1-0 record with an impressive +18 GD and a with one of the better Defense's in a very long time. It was wins over Switzerland (3-0), Latvia (14-0) & Slovakia (3-1). So far this year, their only loss came in their Group Stage Finale against Sweden 4-3 in OT. Then in yesterday's Quarterfinal, it was a tough battle against a Czech Republic team with arguably this year's best goalie Peter Marek who made 50+ saves in a 2-1 OT Loss against the Czech Republic.

The Russians are looking to win back-to-back Gold Medals since 2002 & 2003 as well. Also with the WJC Tournament in Ufa, Russia next season, back-to-back Gold Medals would really spark the Russian Fans to really support the Russian National Team next season.

So far this year, the Russians went 3-0-0-1 in the Group Stage with

USA 12  Latvia 2  (4-0, 7-1, 1-1)

Press Release by Andrew Podnieks of the IIHF Website

USA VS. Latvia Game Photos

From Calgary, Alberta: Austin Watson scored three goals in the first period and seven points in total to lead the United States to an easy but crucial 12-2 win over Latvia. The win ensures the U.S. will not be relegated to Division 1 for 2013 and will be in Ufa, Russia next Christmas.

Latvia's loss places a huge importance on tomorrow's game with Denmark. The winner joins the U.S. in Ufa with the rest of the Top Division Teams while the loser gets relegated.

"The biggest thing we wanted to prove is that we believe we shouldn't be in the Relegation Round," Watson said. "We wanted to come out and have a strong game. We showed that were capable of playing with the guys in the Medal Round. It was about playing for country, playing for the crest on our jersey, not worrying about what happened in the past. Just worrying about the present and the moment we're in."

The Americans finish their tournament with a game against Switzerland for 1st Place in the Relegation Round standings at stake.

"We're not where we want to be tonight, but we need to keep our heads up," added Nick Bjugstad. "We've had a rough outing, but we're playing for the sweater and it was great to have a good performance (Against Latvia). It was kind of good to show up this game from an offensive standpoint."

In addition to Watson's seven points, Nick Bjugstad had 3 goals and 5 points and Brandon Saad added four assists. The Americans doubled their opponents in SOG, 58-29.

Watson's three goals in the first were all set up by different teammates. On the opening tally, at 5:40, he redirected a Jared Tinordi point shot. On the 2nd, it was a nice fed from Jon Merrill to the side, and on the third it was Kyle Rau who found Watson in the slot.

Latvian starting goalie Kristers Gudlevskis was replaced early in the 2nd period after the fifth American Goal, but his replacement, Rihards Cimermanis fared worse, allowing six more goals in 19:04 of the 2nd. As a result Gudlevskis was back in for the 3rd period, allowing just one goal.

The first Latvian Goal came at 2:03 of the 2nd period on a shot by Zemgus Girgensons that beat Jack Campbell under the blocking arm. Their 2nd, near the end of the game, came when Teodors Blugers passed the puck in front of the U.S. Net only to have U.S. Defensemen Austin Czarnik redirect it passed his own goalie.

The huge win allowed the Americans to pad their stats, as it were. After scoring only five goals in their last three games, they piled on the goals even without even trying to hard, they were sent to the Relegation Round was an unlikely scenario, but the team bit the bullet and took it to the Latvians.

"We still have to beat Denmark, no matter what," Bulgers said. That's the big game, we need to refocus. We definitely need to play better on defense, man-to-man coverage, getting back. We had to many guys caught up in the rush and gave up too many odd-man rushes.

Southwest Players in International Events

With the World Jr. A Challenge starting up on November 8 and the race for spots to play on the World Junior championship Team as the USA looks to recapture the gold in both events coming up. The race for spots is starting to heat up and Southwest Players are looking to wear the Red, White and Blue at both tournaments coming up. Here's the news on both Events.

World Junior Championship

The first major cut for the World Junior championship will be coming up in Mid-November and Chris Brown of Flower Mound, Texas is looking to get over that final hump as he was one of the final cuts for Team USA last year just before the tournament started.

So far this season for the Michigan Wolverines, he's been off to another good start he scored his first goal of the season against the University of New Hampshire back on October 16 and had an assist against Mercyhurst back on Opening Night on October 2.

Elsewhere, he's starting to look to be a contributor which includes being a better hitter, but make sure their clean and doesn't cost his team like he did at times last year by having not a single minor penalty so far in 6 games played this season.

In addition to his great play with the University of Michigan, Brown also was involved at the World Junior Evaluation Camp where he was involved in some very intense practices and played in 3 World Junior Camp Games in a mini-tournament with teams from Finland and Sweden where he had a point in their final Game of the Camp.

He's also very familiar on what it takes to make the Team USA as he made the U18 Team for the 2009 World U18 Championship where he averaged a point a game where he scored 7 points (4G 3A) in the tournament where the USA Won Gold when the tournament was in North Dakota and Minnesota.

He also spent two years with them at the USNTDP which is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan before joining the University of Michigan. So you know he's going to get a long look towards making this team.

The First cut should be no problem for Brown, but it will be the further cuts that will be made in late November/Early December to 25 where they will play a series of pre-tournament games against both NCAA Teams and a series of teams that will play in the WJC coming up around the Winter Holidays in Buffalo & Niagara, New York as the Americans look to both defend the Gold Medal and win on home soil for the first time in the tournament history.

Here's the list of USA WJC Hopefuls

2011 World Junior Championship Website

Chris Brown Michigan Wolverines Profile

The World Junior Championships has 10 teams competing with 2 groups of 5 to start the tournament. After the Group Stage ends, the first place teams get a by in the QFS and go straight through to the Semifinals. For the teams that finish 2nd and 3rd in the groups, they will face off where the groups will cross over (2A VS. 3B, 2B VS. 3A) where the winners will face the Group Winners in the Semifinals. Then SF Winners faceoff for the Gold Medal, while the losers play for Bronze.

For the bottom 4 teams, they will play in a relegation round where the matchup between the (4A VS. 5A & 4B VS. 5B) teams will go from the Group Round to the Relegation Rounds. After two more games against teams from the opposing groups.

The 1st & 2nd Place teams finish 7th and 8th and will keep their spot will next year, while the teams that finish 3rd and 4th will be 9th and 10th and will lose their spots to the 1st and 2nd place teams from the Division 1 Tournament.

Last year, the Americans won the WJC for only the 2nd time in tournament history and will be looking for a historic repeat. They were fortunate to miss out on the top 3 opponents in the Group Round.

However, a match with Switzerland who finished 4th and is a rapid riser in Junior Hockey will see an interesting game that is proven that they can win big games by beating Russia in the QFS last season where they eventually finished 4th. The rest of Group A will contain Finland, Slovakia and Germany.

Group B will be the group of death in the prelim round as Canada, Sweden and Russia are expected to play in some great games early on. Joining them will be the Czech Republic and Norway in Group B.

Most of the games of this year's tournament will be played at the HSBC Arena (Buffalo Sabres) with some of the games also being played at Dwyer Arena (Niagara Purple Eagles, NCAA).

It will be interesting to see if our own Chris Brown of Flower Mound, Texas will be joining Team USA at the WJC This season after just missing out last year. Check out the USA Hockey Website for the latest updates.


World Junior A Challenge

Even though were still a little over 2 months away from the WJC, the World Junior A Challenge will be starting on November 8. This event is one of the biggest of the year for players playing in US Juniors (Mostly the USHL), Canadian Jr. A & European Junior Programs for players who are looking for to get noticed by both NHL & NCAA Teams as well.

With just a couple of weeks before the WJAC Tournament, teams are getting busy releasing their rosters as 5 of the 6 teams have released their rosters. The Americans are the 2 defending champions of this event and has medal ed all 3 times where the USA won Bronze in their debut back in 2007.

 6 teams compete in this event as the group round will be divided into 2 Groups of 3. Group A will have the defending champion Team USA as well as Canada East who finished 4th and a Sweden team who's looking to improve after finishing last at this event last year.

Group B will have last year's Silver Medalist who has been the only team to medal in all 4 years of this event's short history, including winning Gold in 2006 (The Tournament's first year) and in 2007. The last two years the Western Canadians have added a pair of Silver Medals as well.

The Russians got back on the podium for the first time last year after beating Canada East, marking the first time in the tournament's history where both Canada teams failed to Medal and a team in Switzerland who's making their debut and will be looking to make a strong showing, especially after a 4th Place Finish at the WJC and a 5th place Finish at the U18's last season.

 Can Switzerland continue their success at the Junior Level which hopefully will include winning Medals? Only time will tell and this event would be a good start for that.

The format begins with a 2 game group stage where the 3 teams will faceoff within the group. After the Groups wrap up, the 1st Place Teams like the WJC get QF Round Byes while the 2nd & 3rd Place Teams will play cross over for the QF Games. The QF Losers will face off for 5th Place, while the QF Winners will advance to the Semifinals. Then the SF Winners will play for Gold, while the Losers will play Bronze.

Even though they are no Southwest Players that made the team, they are a couple of guys to watch for if they is reinforcements needed due to injury or any other reason. Some possible players include Blake Coleman who's a player with the Indiana Ice who's a 2011 Commit to Miami University which is in Ohio and is currently leading the Ice in scoring with 7 points in 7 games so far (2G 5A).

Also watch out for defensemen Ian Young's name to be possibly involved who's a Colorado College Commit for 2011, he's among one of the top scorers in defensemen in the young season with 5 points (2G 3A).

Even though the chances are long, these players should be on notice if they needed for possible call ups for the WJAC which will be in Pentiction, BC at the South Okanagan Events Center which is home of the Pentiction Vees (BCHL).

 BTW, Pentiction was also where Dallas Stars Prospect Austin Smith played his Junior Days in the season after he was drafted by the Dallas Stars.

Here's a look at the tournament info which goes from November 8-14.

Team Rosters from the Hockey Canada Website

Group A

Team USA

Info on the Team USA Coaching Staff

Blake Coleman Profile

Ian Young Profile

Team Canada East

Team Sweden


Group B

Team Canada West

Team Russia

Team Switzerland


Tournament Website

Tournament Schedule


Upcoming International Events

Here's a look at some of the upcoming international events later this season where players from the Southwest could be playing.

A few of the notables include Seth Jones who's with the USNTDP and will be fighting for a spot for the U17 Team at the U17 World Challenge and Colin Jacobs I would expect to be looked at for the U18 World Championship in the spring.



2011 U17 World Challenge

December 29 through January 4 2011 in Winnipeg and Portage Prairie, Manitoba

Teams Involved: CAN Atlantic, CAN Ontario, CAN Pacific, CAN West, CAN Quebec , Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Slovakia, USA

Seth Jones Profile


2011 U18 World Championship

April 14 through April 24 in Crimmitschau and Drisden, Germany

Teams Involved:  Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden, USA

Colin Jacobs Profile


2011 World U18 Women's Championship

January 1 through January 8 in Stockholm, Sweden

Teams Involved: Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, USA


2011 Women's World Championship

April 16 through April 25 in Zurich and Winterthur, Switzerland

Teams Involved: Canada, Finland, Kazakhstan, Russia, Switzerland, Slovakia, Sweden, USA


2011 World Championship

April 29 through May 15 in Braislava & Kosice, Slovakia

Teams Involved:  Austria, Belarus, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Norway, Russia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden, USA 

USA Falls in their 2nd Game against Sweden

The USA dropped their first and only game of the Junior Evaluation Camp against Sweden 4-1 as Sweden returned the favor on the fast starts as the Americans had 6-3 and 8-3 wins in their first 2 International Games.

Chris Brown wasn't much of a factor in this game while Chris Brown took the day off in this game.

Press Release from USA Hockey: www.usahockey.com

From Lake Placid, NY: Team USA dropped a 4-1 decision to Sweden here this afternoon in its third international game of the 2010 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp.

The contest featured 22 of the 28 U.S. Players currently participating in the camp and auditioning for a spot on the U.S. Junior National Team that will take part at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championships, Dec. 26 thru Jan. 5 2011, in Buffalo NY.

"We needed to take fewer penalties," said Keith Allain, head coach of the 2011 U.S. Junior National Team. "We'll learn from today's game and see how our guys respond against Finland tomorrow."

Sweden scored three goals on consecutive power play opportunities over a three minute span in the 2nd period. They extended their lead to 4-0 six minutes into the third period with yet another goal on the man advantage.

Team USA found the back of the net midway through the third period to cut Sweden's lead to three. Patrick Wey fired a long snap shot from the blue line that slipped through traffic to the crease. Zach Budish was there to redirect the shot past the Swedish Goalie Robin Lehner.

The U.S. could not complete a comeback, however, and took its first loss of the camp. Team USA goalie Zach Gothberg made 24 saves in the loss, while Lehner turned aside 22 shots in a winning effort. The U.S. will return to action tomorrow at 4 PM EDT against Finland in the final game of the camp. A full schedule and results are below.

Game Summary

Sweden 4 USA 1 (0-0, 3-0, 1-1)

1-0 SWE: Lander (PP) (Almqvist, Paajarvi-Svensson) 5:18

2-0 SWE: Jarnkrok (PP) (Wannstrom) 5:52

3-0 SWE: Wallen (PP) (Larsson) 7:33

4-0 SWE: Cehlin (Landeskog, Fasth) 6:17

4-1 USA: Budish (Wey) 11:44


SOG: SWE 28 USA 23

Goaltenders

SWE: Lehner 22 SVS on 23 Shots

USA: Gothberg 24 SVS on 28 Shots


PP: SWE 4/10 USA 0/6

PIM: SWE 5 PEN for 12 MIN USA 12 PEN on 32 Minutes

Full US Junior Camp Eveluation Roster

The Evaluation Roster for the 2011 World Junior Championship is now out and once again, Chris Brown of Flower Mound, Texas has been selected again to have a shot at the team after falling at the final possible hurdle just a couple of days before last year's WJC got going in Saskatchewan, Canada where the Americans ended Canada's 5 year Gold Medal Streak in the WJC.

For Brown, last year's disappointment of not making the team should be a huge motivation for him and I would expect that he should make the team given he has another strong year for the University of Michigan.

If the Wolverines forward can improve on his 28 points in 45 games played. Which also included a strong player on the PP and had 4 game winning goals last season after having a mediocre regular season for the team, the Wolverines and shocked everyone by winning the CCHA Tournament. If they failed to win, it would have been the first time in nearly 25 years the team would have failed to make the NCAA Hockey Tournament.

His assistants include Mark Osiecki who's the head coach of Ohio State University, and Phil Housely who's the head coach of the famous Minnesota High School Program in Stillwater, Minnesota.

This year should be even more competitive as the Americans are looking to win the WJC on home ice and defending it for the first time in the tournament's history. With the group set up as the Americans have avoided all 3 main rivals in the WJC (CAN, SWE & RUS), it should give the Americans a strong chance as the USA will play Switzerland & Finland as the main rivals with Germany & Slovakia rounding out the group.

In all 44 players will make the roster of hopefuls coming from all over North America with the USNTDP, the NCAA & Major Juniors making up the majority of players of hopefuls. Even though a couple of high school players and Beau Bennett who's one of the nation's top Canadian Junior A Players playing in the BCHL also made the roster.

Watch out for Emerson Etem who's looking to be one of the most successful players to come out of California who had a great year for the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League

In all 9 players are back on the roster which includes Cam Fowler who's scheduled to be one of the top defensemen, Jack Campbell who's the #1 Ranked Goalie in the Scouting Rankings for this weeks Draft that will be taking place in Los Angeles this weekend.

Of the 44 players, only 30 will make the first cut which will be taking place in November as the team will start to schedule pre tournament games and take a look at their efforts for their club teams in the first part of the season to determine who's moves on and who will be left off the team.

USA Hockey Coaching Staff for 2011 WJC: www.usahockey.com/world_junior_championships/default.aspx?id=287916

More info on the Junior Camp Roster: www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=TU_04_01_06&id=288578&DetailedNews=yes

Here's the Junior Evaluation Camp Roster

Goalies

Jack Campbell 6'2" 185 L Pt. Huron, Mich USNTDP U18 (USHL)

Zach Gothberg 6'1" 177 L Grand Forks, N.D. Thief Rivers HS (HS-Minn)

Michael Houser 6'1" 180 L Wexford, PA London Knights (OHL)

Andy Iles 5'8" 179 L Ithaca, N.Y. USNTDP U18 (USHL)


Defensemen

Mark Alt 6'4" 205 R St. Paul, Minn. Cretin-Derhim Hall (HS-MN)

Brandon Archibald 6'3" 200 R Pt. Huron, Mich St. Sault Marie Greyhounds(OHL)

Adam Clendening 5'11" 190 R Niagara Falls, NY USNTDP U18 (USHL)

Brian Dumoulin 6'4" 203 L Biddeford, Maine Boston College (HEA)

Justin Faulk 5'11" 195 R St. Paul, Minn. USNTDP U18 (USHL)

Derek Forbot 6'4" 195 L Duluth, Minn. USNTDP U18 (USHL)

Cam Fowler 6'2" 190 L Farmington Hills, Mich. Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Stephen Jones 6'3" 215 R Wampum, PA USNTDP U18 (USHL)

Nick Leddy 5'11" 180 L Eden Prairie, Minn U. of Minnesota (WCHA)

Jon Merrill 6'3" 200 L Brighton, Mich. USNTDP U18 (USHL)

John Ramge 6'0" 195 R St. Louis, Missouri U. of Wisconsin (WCHA)

Philip Samuelsson 6'3" 198 L Scottsdale, Ariz. Boston College (HEA)

Jarred Tinordi 6'5" 202 L Millersville, Md. USNTDP U18 (USHL)

Patrick Wey 6'2" 200 R Pittsburgh, PA Boston College (HEA)


Forwards

Beau Bennett 6'1" 180 R Gardena, Calif. Penticton Vees (BCHL)

Nick Bjugstad 6'4" 188 R Blaine, Minn. Blane HS (HS-MN)

Ryan Bourque 5'9" 166 L Boxford, Mass. Quebec City Ramparts (QMJHL)

Connor Brickley 6'2" 193 L Everett, Mass. Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)

Chris Brown 6'2" 194 R Flower Mound, TX. U. of Michigan (CCHA)

Zach Budish 6'3" 220 R Edina, Mass. U. of Minnesota (WCHA)

Charlie Coyle 6'2" 207 R East Weymouth, Mass. South Shore Kings (EJHL)

Jerry D'Amigo 5'11" 190 L Binghamton, NY Rensselaer (ECAC)

Emerson Etem 6'0" 198 R Long Beach, Calif. Medicine Hat Tiers (WHL)

Kevin Hayes 6'2" 201 L Boston, Mass. Noble & Greenough School (HS-Mass)

Chris Kreider 6'2" 205 L Boxford, Mass. Boston College (HEA)

Phil Lane 6'2" 194 R Rochester, NY Brampton Battalion (OHL)

Kevin Lynch 6'1" 198 R Gross Pointe, Mich U. of Michigan (CCHA)

Tyler Maxwell 5'9" 179 L Manhattan Beach, Calif Everett Silvertips (WHL)

Jeremy Morin 6'1" 196 R Auburn, NY Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Brock Nelson 6'3" 205 L Minneapolis, Minn Warroad HS (HS-MN)

Matt Neito 5'11" 182 L Long Beach, Calif. USNTDP U18 (USHL)

Kyle Palmieri 5'11" 195 R Montvale, N.J. U. of Norte Dame (CCHA)

Tyler Pitlick 6'1" 196 L Centerville, Minn Minnesota State (WCHA)

Bryan Rust 5'11" 191 R Bloomfield, Hills, Mich. USNTDP U18 (USHL)

Brandon Saad 6'1" 196 L Gibsonia, PA USNTDP U18 (USHL)

Drew Shore 6'2" 190 R Denver, Colo. Univ. of Denver (WCHA)

Nick Shore 6'0" 186 R Denver, Colo. USNTDP U18 (USHL)

Austin Watson 6'3" 187 R Ann Arbor, Mich. Peterborough Petes (OHL)

Steve Whitney 5'7" 168 R Reading, Mass. Boston College (HEA)

Jason Zucker 5'10" 168 L Las Vegas, Nev. USNTDP U18 (USHL)

Schedule & Groups for the 2010 World Junior A Challenge

The first major international event of the 2010-2011 season is the World Junior A Challenge that will be taking place in Pentiction, B.C. next season. Well the schedule & Groups have been released as the tournament will have the same format as the tournament has 6 teams divided into 2 groups of 3 as the Americans will look to win this event for the 3rd straight year.

As usual, 2 Canada Teams rep. the East (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, P.E.I., & New Foundland) & the West (B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan & Manitoba) will make up the Canadian rep. at this event. For the first time ever, both Canadian Teams didn't make the podium as Canada East was the runner up while Canada West was 4th. Overall, Canada West has won the Gold twice in 2006 & 2007.

Also 2 Silver Medals in 2008 & 2009 make Canada West the only team ever to medal in every year in this tournament's history. Canada East has never won this event as they have won the Silver in 2006 & 2007 while winning a Bronze in 2008.

While Sweden is looking to improve on a surprising last place finish from last year, while Russia brings a team that won the Bronze Medal last year which matched its best performance in 2006. Switzerland who rounds out the field will be making their tournament debut next season.

With the Swiss gradually improving their Junior Programs in recent years which included a 4th Place at the WJC & a 5th Place Finish at the U18's. Tournament Org. are hoping that this could possibly be one of the most exciting years for this event in the tournament's short history since it was created back in 2006.

If it does turn out to be what they hoping for, some are hoping that this event can be expanded to 8 teams and possibly start allowing other places (Especially in the USA to host this event in the Near Future).

It was also benefit the event to see more places that are looking to further develop their Junior Programs to compete in this event, especially if they not in the World Junior Championship and/or the U18 World Championship to get their players more experience. Teams like Denmark, Norway and Austria come to mind as good examples.

This year's event will be taking place in Pentiction, B.C at the South Okanagan Events Center (Home of the BCHL's Pentiction Vees).

The Coaching staff for Team USA won't be revelled till sometime in late summer where the USHL is expected to have a majority of the coaching staff for the team as the Americans have won the Gold the last 2 years. In addition to the Coaching staff, 21 of the 22 players on Team USA at the WJAC came from the USHL, the only exception came from Beau Bennett who played for the Pentiction Vees of the BCHL last year.


Team's USA History at the World Junior A Challenge

2006: DNP

2007: Bronze Medal

2008: Gold Medal

2009: Gold Medal


Tournament Groups

Group A:
Canada East
Sweden
USA

Group B:
Canada West
Russia
Switzerland


Link to the Tournament Schedule: www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/71747/la_id/1.htm

IHWC Relegation Round Update: Kazakhstan and Italy sent down

The Relegation Round ended today with the Italians giving the Americans a tough battle as the Americans finally ended the game in OT to finish on top and 13th overall to end a disappointing tournament after finishing 4th last year.

Despite the point in the OT, it wasn't enough to keep them up in the IHWC for the 2011 Season as they needed the full 3 points to avoid relegation.

After trading goals in the first period, the desperate Italians went up 2-1 and were looking to hold on and send France down to DIV. 1, but when Ryan Potulny made it 2-2 midway through the 3rd period to tie the game. In the end, T.J. Oshie got his 4th goal of the tournament to finish with 8 points in the Relegation Round and won all 3 Relegation Games by scoring 17 goals against Kazakhstan, Italy and France.

France sent Kazakhstan down with a huge 3 goal 1st period. Even though Kazakhstan was able to stay up with them to make it 3-2. When France scored 9 minutes into the 3rd period to make it 5-2. It pretty much sunk Kazakhstan's chances of staying up for the 2011 IHWC which will be in Slovakia.

To replace Kazakhstan and Italy, it will be Austria and Slovenia who won the Division 1 Tournaments in late April. The teams will be joining Japan, Lithuania, Netherlands, Ukraine, Great Britain, Hungary, South Korea and Poland. Moving up from Division 2 to Division 1 for the 2010-2011 season will be Spain and Estonia who won the Division 2 Tournaments this season.


From the International Ice Hockey Federation Website: www.iihf.com

USA 3 Italy 2 (SO) (1-0, 0-1, 1-1, 0-0, 1-0)

USA VS. Italy Game Photos: www.iihf.com/sk/channels10/iihf-world-championship-wc10/pictures/page/0/game/USA%20-%20ITA.html

By Alan Adams

From Colonge, Germany: It was one of those bittersweet moments for the United States at the IIHF World Championship on Tuesday.

T.J. Oshie scored on a wrist shot in a sudden-death shootout to give the United States a 3-2 win at the 2010 IIHF World Championships. Oshie was the seventh shooter for the Americans and he took all three shots in the Sudden Death Shootout for the USA.

The point the USA gained when the OT Buzzer sounded to end the third period and sent the game to OT guaranteed that the Americans would ne demoted to the IIHF's 2nd tier. The USA wound up in first place in the Relegation Round, while France was second.

"The hockey gods were not with us", said USA Defensemen Jack Johnson. "I'am glad we can look forward to next year. We're glad it is over but we're glad for next year."

"There was an immense amount of pressure," said Brandon Dubinsky. "I do not know if a USA Team has ever been relegated before, and none of us wanted to be part of the first one."

Italy and Kazakhstan were demoted.

"We got a good point out of a good team, that was good," said Italian forward Roland Ramoser. "I think we did a good job here, but we should have beaten France, that's where we lost the tournament."

The USA went into the game knowing the easiest way to avoid the embarrassment of being sent down was to beat the Italians and there times when the USA played so much better then in the Italian end someone might have through the ice was tilted.

The Italians sent a shock wave across the U.S. Bench at 6:49 of the third period on a goal by Stefano Margoni put Italy ahead 2-1. He took a pass at center and was in full flight when he sent a wrist shot that got past goalie Scott Clemmensen, who didn't look sharp on the play.

Italy was close to a sensation as they needed the full three points to stay in the top division. The Italians have had to beat the USA by 8 or more goals to help send the Americans to the 2nd tier of international hockey.

The Americans put on a full court press after the Italians went up 2-1 in an attempt to get the equalizer but goaltender Daniel Bellissimo was up to the challenge, and he had help from his teammates. The Italians often had all five skaters below the top of the faceoff circles in their end and not as many shots made it through the maze as the U.S. would have liked.

But there was nothing Bellissimo could do when Ryan Potulny pounced on a rebound and shoveled the puck into the net to tie the game at 11:08 of the third while the U.S. was on the power play.

American Forward David Moss was robbed of a goal on a breakaway with 44 seconds left in the third period when Bellissimo kicked out his right pad to boot a backhand shot into the corner.

Dubinsky scored his third goal and collected his ninth point of the tournament in the first period to open the scoring. The U.S. was on its second power play of the first period when Dubinsky stepped into a slap shot that beat Bellissimo high to the stick side at 11:45.

Giulio Scandella broke free of the USA Defense and scored on a breakaway with six minutes left in the 2nd period, ending the USA's shutout run at exactly 154 minutes, to tie the game at 14:00.

The Americans had shutouts over Kazakhstan and France in earlier relegation round games. The last time the U.S. won back to back games in the same year without allowing a goal in the World Championship was in 1939 with a 4-0 win over Poland and a 1-0 triumph over Czechoslovakia early on in prelim round play.


Kazakhstan 3 France 5 (2-3, 0-1, 1-1)

Kazakhstan VS. France Game Photos: www.iihf.com/channels10/iihf-world-championship-wc10/pictures/page/0/game/KAZ%20-%20FRA.html

By Lucas Aykroyd

From Mannheim, Germany: France kept its place in the World Championship, relegating Kazakhstan with a 5-3 win on Tuesday Afternoon. The French will be back for 2011 with the U.S.A, while it's farewell to Kazakhstan and Italy.

With the conclusion of the Relegation Round, the Americans finish in 13th place, while France is 14th, Italy 15th and Kazakhstan finishes last in 16th place. The U.S. and France will play in the 2011 IIHF World Championship in Bratislava and Kosice, Slovakia, taking place in between April 29 and May 15, 2011.

Five different players scored for France, which got two power play goals to double it's overall tournament output. Laurent Gras tallied the eventual winner with 6:17 left in the first period.

French goalie Fabrice Lherny earned the biggest win of the tournament versus Kazakh starter Vitali Yeremeyev, as Kazakhstan out-shot France 38-22.

"We had just one goal today and that was to win," said Lhenry. "It wasn't a pretty game, and we scored a couple of garbage goals, but they went in. The most important thing with the victory, and now we stay in the top pool for next year."

With 7485 spectators on hand, the upper decks at the SAP Arena were packed with local school children, who enthusiastically cheered, jerred and banged their noisemakers through the game. The noise level was actually higher then at some earlier games involving bigger name teams, and the Kazakhs and French fed off the energy from the start.

"It was fun playing with all those screaming kids," said French Forward Stephane Da Costa. "It was different."

Just over four minutes in, on a rush into Kazakhstan's zone, French forward Yorick Treille slid heavily into the end boards and injured his left leg, which twisted awkwardly. He lay crumpled on the ice in obvious pain until attendants carried him off a stretcher. He was then transported to a hospital.

High pitched screams of the delighted greeted France's opening goal on the power-play at 8:39. Sacha Treille, from behind the goal line, snared the puck at Yeremeyev's right post and managed to bounce it off the net-minder's leg.

Kazakhstan responded two minutes later when Dmitri Dudarev won a faeoff in the French end, put a shot off Lehenry that bounced high, and then whacked it out of the air inn the midst of a crease scrum. It was the Metallurg Novokuznetzk forwards team leading fourth goal of the tournament. The French jumped back into a 2-1 lead at 12:19 when Captain Laurent Meunier capitalized on a turnover in Kazakh territory, stick handled his way down to the middle, and put the puck past Yeremeyev on his forehand.

At 13:43, Laurent Gras made it 3-1 France when he barged out of the corner, cut to the net and squeezed a shot through the Kazakh's goalie Roman Starchenko backhanded a shot home from a rebound from Maxim Semenov's point shot.

During an early second period Kazakh power play, Lhenry preserved France's lead with such clutch saves. And midway through the game, his teammates repaid him for his efforts during a power play of their own, as Baptiste Amar beat Yeremeyev through traffic with a center point shot to put France up 4-2.

The French extended their lead to 5-2 at 8:42 of the third period, as a rushing Pierre-Edouard Bellemare's shot from the left faceoff circle tipped off Roman Savchenko's stick and through the goalie. Vadim Krasnoslobtsev scored for Kazakhstan with 6:42 remaining, converting a rebound high over Lhenry's glove to make it 5-3. But that was as close as the former Soviet republic would get.

"We're about the same level as they are, so we just tried to play well defensively, and we had a pretty good game," explained by Stephane Da Costa. "In the end, we played harder. We hit more, and we know they don't like that."

France has retained its spot in the Top Division for the 3rd straight year. Kazakhstan can make its return no earlier then the 2012 Worlds, co-hosted by Finland and Sweden.

Italy and Kazakhstan will play in the World Championship Division 1 Tournament in April 2011. Unless something big changes, the applicants for the two tournaments will by Budapest, Hungary and Kyiv, Ukraine.


Final Relegation Round Standings

1. U.S.A. 2-1-0-0 8 PTS 17-2

2. France 2-0-0-1 6 PTS 7-8

3. Italy 1-0-1-1 4 PTS 5-6

4. Kazakhstan 0-0-0-3 0 PTS 4-17


USA & France will keep their spots for the 2011 IHWC in Slovakia

Italy and Kazakhstan have been sent down to the 2011 IHWC Division 1 Tournament.


Relegation Round Schedule

5/15: USA 10 Kazakhstan 0 (4-0, 5-0, 1-0)

5/15: Italy 1 France 2 (0-1, 0-0, 1-1)

5/16: France 0 USA 4 (0-0, 0-2, 0-2)

5/16: Italy 2 Kazakhstan 1 (0-0, 0-0, 2-1)

5/18: USA 3 Italy 2 (SO) (1-0, 0-1, 1-1, 0-0, 1-0)

5/18: Kazakhstan 3 France 5 (2-3, 0-1, 1-1)

IHWC Relegation Round: USA Crushes Kazakhstan and France edges Italy

The IHWC Relegation Round got underway yesterday as the Americans are looking to make the best of a bad situation as the Americans got a 10-0 thrashing of the Kazakhs to open the Relegation Round. It's a tough blow for Kazakhstan as the Kazakhs will have it very tough to keep their spots for the 2011 IHWC Tournament as Italy and France still haven't won a game. But at least they have been able to keep their games close.



France won the first crunch game as the French forward Laurent Grasp used an early 3rd period goal to get the French their first win of the tournament and an early edge in the Relegation Round.



From the International Ice Hockey Federation Website: http://www.iihf.com/



From Alan Adams



USA 10 Kazakhstan 0 (4-0, 5-0, 1-0)



From Colonge, Germany: Team USA Scored 4 times in the first period to match its entire goal production to date and the Americans went on to rout Kazakhstan 10-0 in a Relegation Round Game at the 2010 IIHF World Hockey Championship on Saturday. The USA is trying to avoid an ignominious fall from the IIHF top pool to its second tier and the win - the first in four games for Team USA at the 2010 Worlds - will help accomplish that.



Team USA Plays France on Sunday while Kazakhstan takes on Italy the same day.



For a team that could not score in its three prelim round games, the goals came quick and often for the United States in its first ever World Championship Game against Kazakhstan, Matt Gilroy led the way with a three-goal performance.



"We were embarrassed to be in this situation and it was great to get some goals and see the forwards rewarded for their efforts." said Team USA Captain Jack Johnson.



"We were anxious to get going."



"It's good to get the goals, said Team USA Head Coach Scott Gordon. "For all the scoring struggles we have been having, its quite a relief for some of the guys."



T.J. Oshie scored on a wraparound at 0:55 of the first period on the First USA Shot of the game. Oshie was in the right place at the right time when defensemen Maxim Semenov misplayed on the loose puck and goaltender Alexei Kuznetsov was caught completely off guard when the American forward swept around the net and scored.



Kyle Okposo made it 2-0 just 18 seconds later, again thinks to a miscue by Kazakh defender behind the net. This time Oshie picked up the loose puck and Okposo snapped a centering pass into the net at 1:13.



Gilroy went end-to-end to make it 3-0 at 8:53. He deeeked Semenov just inside the Kazakh blueline to slip past him and then whipped a wrist shot that beat Kuznetsov cleanly on the low on the glove hand side. Gilory then made it 4-0 at 10:20 to complete the first period goal splurge for the Americans.



Kuznetsov was put on the bench at the start of the 2nd period but his replacement, Pavel Zhitkov, fared no better.



When Nick Foligno scored at 8:03 of the 2nd period, it was the USA's fifth goal of the game and that's one more goal then the Americans had during the prelim round in three straight games in the 16 team tournament. The rout continued not long after, with Ryan Potulny scored at 6:34 and Gilory completing the hat trick 10 seconds later. Brandon Dubinsky made it 8-0 at 18:44 and Tim Kennedy followed with a goal at 19:29.



Chris Kreider scored with 1:03 left in the game for the only goal of the 3rd period and to make it a perfect 10 on the afternoon.



"The Americans are the strongest team in the group. They should not be here," said Kazakhstan Head Coach Andrei Shayanov.



As for the Kazakhs, they had two good scoring chances in the 2nd period denied by goaltender Scott Clemmensen.



Clemmensen did the splits to kick out a wrist shot by Roman Starchenko with his right pads at the 3:38 mark of the 2nd period. Then two minutes later, Alexei Vorontsov's shot was blocked by Clemmensen, who was on the bench to start the 3rd period.



Ben Bishop finished the game in net for the Americans.





From Lucas Aykroyd



Italy 1 France 2 (0-1, 0-0, 1-1)



From Mannheim, Germany: Oui, ca va bien! France continued its recent domination of Italy on Saturday, prevailing 2-1 in a tight checking affair at the SAP Arena to kick off the Relegation Round. Laurent Gras scored the winner early in the third period.

The last time these two nations met in Relegation Round action, it was 2008, and the French sent Italy down with wins of 3-2 and 6-4 in a two game series in Quebec City. This time, the Relegation Round participants are playing a round-robin, with no points carried over from the Prelim Round.

With its first win of the 2010 Worlds, France now has a big three points as it vies for a fourth straight berth in the elite Division. Italy remains winless in four straight games.

Baptiste Amar also scored for the French. Michele Strazzabosco had the lone Italian goal.

"We fought hard and worked as a team," said Amar. "We know we're not technically the best team, but we work hard as a group, and we were rewarded today."

French goalie Fabrice Lhenry out-dulled Italy's Daniel Bellissimo for the victory. The Italians out-shot the French 29-22.

There's no rest for these teams. On Sunday, France will face the Americans, coming off a lopsided victory over Kazakhstan. That day, Italy will take on the Kazakhs in a must win game.

"This game is history," said Italy's head coach Nicola Fontanive. "We can't change history. We have to come out and win tomorrow."

France opened the scoring at 4:34 when Stephane Da Costa behind the goal line and snapped it high over Bellissimo.

A couple of minutes later, Lhery was alert to stop Giulio Scandella, who got a step on the French defense and fired a swift, low shot into the netminders pads. Lhery stayed sharp as the Italians out-shot France 9-5 in the first period.

In the 2nd period, the Italians kept pressuring for the equalizer on their first power play during a holding penalty to Nicholas Besch. But they could only generate flurries around the French net, including a nice right wing rush and backhanded move by Luca Ansoldi.

"We tried to use our speed and forecheck to create our chances." noted France's Amar. "We wanted to keep the puck on the out-shot and not get fancy."

With about seven minutes left in the middle frame, France nearly took a two-goal lead when Gras's shot squeezed through Bellissimo, but the Italian Defenders manged to sweep the puck away from the goal line before any damage was done.

The chances kept coming but neither side could capitalize. With less then four minutes before the buzzer, France's Anthonie Lussier stick-handled in on a breakaway, but lose control of the puck at the last instant. Coming back the other way, Italy's Giorgio de Bettin zinged one off Lehnry's crossbar.

An early third period power-play saw France go up 2-0 at 3:14 when Gras banged to the front of the net, whacking in the 2nd rebound from Kevin Hecquefeuille's point showing before flying in the air.

The Italins got a glouris opportunity to get on the board with a short 5-on-3 man advantage. Just as it turned to a 5-on-4, Strazzabosco's drive from the center point beat Lehnry five hole to make it a 2-1 game with 8:56 left.

Unfortunately, Strazzanbosco's took a late tripping penalty that hurt his team's chances of coming back. Gras had a great chance for his second on the night on a breakaway, but Bellissimo said no. Regardless, it was too late for Italy, which pulled its netminder for the extra attacker as well.

"Their goalie was the best player, but one goal wasn't enough," said Fontanive. "We were able to score more goals if we expect to win."

Altough this game was sparsely attended, fans in the stands generated their own atmosphere by paring up with tournament mascot Urmel for some of the most demonstrative dancing seen yet at this year's World Championship.

Relegation Round Standings

1. USA 1-0-0-0 3 PTS 10-0

2. France 1-0-0-0 3 PTS 2-1

3. Italy 0-0-0-1 0 PTS 1-2

4. Kazakhstan 0-0-0-1 0 PTS 0-10

Relegation Round Schedule

5/15: USA 10 Kazakhstan 0 (4-0, 5-0, 1-0)

5/15: Italy 1 France 2 (0-1, 0-0, 1-1)

5/16: France VS. USA

5/16: Italy VS. Kazakhstan

5/18: USA VS. Italy

5/18: Kazakhstan VS. France

IIHF World Championship Update

With the Prelim Round now over-with. The Qualifying & Relegation Rounds get underway today. One of the biggest shockers has been the shocking performance of Denmark as they were able to shock both the United States and Finland before losing to Germany in their final 1st Round Loss.

With for the most part many of the big names out of this year's tournament, this event has been one of the more unpredictable in recent years. In addition to Denmark, Norway was able to pull off an OT win over the Czech Republic.

Switzerland was able to go unbeaten in the Group Win after wins against Italy and Latvia. It was de javu of the 2006 Prelim Round Game as Switzerland was able control the game against Canada 4-1 to finish on top of Group B.

The big disappointment has to be the USA. After losing to Germany in the tournament opener in front of a crowd of over 77,000. That turned into a bad vibe as they had another OT loss to Denmark and a one goal loss to Finland. That means that the Americans finished last and will play France, Italy and Kazakhstan in the Relegation Round.

Despite the ability that should be these 3 teams easily, the desperation of lower ranked teams looking to stay up will show and it will be much harder then you think. It should be nothing short of 3 wins to stay up and finish 13th, but after a year that the USA had basically medaled in every major international event this season, including gold medals at both the WJC & U18 World Championships. USA Hockey will not be very happy about this.

As for the rest of the relegation Round, it should be a three way battle between Italy, France and Kazakhstan. The Italians look to be in the best shape as they were at least able to stay in all 3 of their games, while Kazakhstan tends to be in trouble after coming out of a very tough group against Russia, Slovakia and Belarus from Group A.

Qualification Round Group E will have Russia, Belarus, Slovakia from Group A. Joining them will be Finland, Germany and Denmark from Group D. Can a team like Denmark continue their strong showing, or will the stronger competition eventually cool them off.

Qualification Round Group F will have Canada, Switzerland, Latvia from Group B. While from Group C will have Sweden, Czech Republic and Norway. This is expected to be the tougher of the 2 Groups.

Will we see some unlikely matchups come the Quarterfinals, or will the cream of the power nations eventually rise to the top?

Also for the rest of the tournament, look for Game Recaps on the road to this year's Ice Hockey World Championship.

Here's a look at the Prelim Round Results.

Group A (RUS, BLR, SVK, KAZ)

5/9: Belarus 5 Kazakhstan 2 (0-0, 2-2, 3-0)

5/9: Slovakia 1 Russia 3 (0-1, 0-1, 1-1)

5/11: Russia 4 Kazakhstan 1 (1-0, 2-0, 1-1)

5/11: Belarus 2 Slovakia 4 (2-0, 0-2, 0-2)

5/13: Russia 3 Belarus 1 (1-0, 2-0, 0-1)

5/13: Kazakhstan 1 Slovakia 5 (0-1, 0-2, 1-2)


Group A Standings

1. Russia 3-0-0-0 9 PTS 10-3

2. Slovakia 2-0-0-1 6 PTS 10-6

3. Belarus 1-0-0-2 3 PTS 8-7

4. Kazakhstan 0-0-0-3 0 PTS 4-14


Group B (CAN, SUI, LAT, ITA)

5/8: Canada 5 Italy 1 (2-1, 2-0, 1-0)

5/8: Switzerland 3 Latvia 1 (1-0, 1-0, 1-1)

5/10: Switzerland 3 Italy 0 (0-0, 1-0, 2-0)

5/10: Latvia 1 Canada 6 (0-2, 0-4, 1-0)

5/12: Italy 2 Latvia 5 (1-1, 0-1, 1-3)

5/12: Canada 1 Switzerland 4 (1-2, 0-1, 0-1)


Group B Standings

1. Switzerland 3-0-0-0 9 PTS 10-2

2. Canada 2-0-0-1 6 PTS 12-2

3. Latvia 1-0-0-2 3 PTS 7-10

4. Italy 0-0-0-3 0 PTS 3-13


Group C (SWE, CZE, NOR, FRA)

5/9: Czech Republic 5 France 2 (0-0, 2-2, 3-0)

5/9: Norway 2 Sweden 5 (0-2, 1-0, 1-3)

5/11: Czech Republic 2 Norway 3 (0-1, 1-1, 1-1)

5/11: Sweden 3 France 2 (1-0, 2-0, 0-2)

5/13: France 1 Norway 5 (1-0, 0-1, 0-4)

5/13: Sweden 1 Czech Republic 2 (0-1, 1-1, 0-0)


Group Standings

1. Sweden 2-0-0-1 6 PTS 9-5

2. Czech Rep. 2-0-0-1 6 PTS 9-6

3. Norway 2-0-0-1 6 PTS 10-8

4. France 0-0-0-3 0 PTS 5-13


Group D (FIN, USA, GER, DEN)

5/7: USA 1 Germany 2 (OT) (0-0, 0-1, 1-0, 0-1)

5/8: Finland 1 Denmark 4 (1-2, 0-1, 0-1)

5/10: USA 1 Denmark 2 (OT) (0-0, 1-1, 0-0, 0-1)

5/10: Germany 0 Finland 1 (0-0, 0-1, 0-0)

5/12: Denmark 1 Germany 3 (1-1, 0-2, 0-0)

5/12: Finland 3 USA 2 (0-1, 1-0, 2-1)


Group D Standings

1. Finland 2-0-0-1 6 PTS 5-5

2. Denmark 1-1-0-1 5 PTS 7-5

3. Germany 1-1-0-1 5 PTS 5-3

4. USA 0-0-2-1 2 PTS 4-7


Here's a look at the Qualfiying & Relegation Round Groups which started today.

Qualifiying Round

Group E: (RUS, FIN, SVK, DEN, BLR, GER)

Group F: (SUI, SWE, CAN, CZE, LAT, NOR)


Relegation Round: Kazakhstan, Italy, France USA

USA Loses IHWC Opener in front of a World Record Audience

A new Guinness World Record was set with a crowd of a little over 77,000 as the Americans and host Germans played the opening game of the 2010 Ice Hockey World Championships at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen. I

t was mostly a defensive showdown that was able to help keep the Germans in this game as the team was hoping to improve after a pair of bad showings at the 2010 Olympics and last year's IHWC in Switzerland.

In the end it was Florian Schutz who scored the game winner in OT to give the Germans their first 2 points in Group D Play. While the Americans got out with a point as both teams will play Finland and Denmark later on in the Group Stage.

From Alan Adams of the International Ice Hockey Federation: http://www.iihf.com/

U.S.A. 1 Germany 2 (OT) (0-0, 0-1, 1-0, 0-1)

U.S.A. VS. Germany Game Photos: www.iihf.com/channels10/iihf-world-championship-wc10/pictures/page/0/game/USA%20-%20GER.html

From Gelsenkirchen, Germany: What a way to start the 2010 World Championships for the host country. With a loud and boisterous world record crowd of 77,803 looking at the Veltins Arena, Felix Schutz tipped a shot just 21 seconds into overtime to give Germany a 2-1 victory in the opening game of the International Ice Hockey Federation's annual showcase event on Friday.

"It felt like more of a World Cup Soccer game then a hockey game," said Sven Butenschon. "When you hear a roar of nearly 80,000 people, it's a different noise."

"I was trying to yell to my linemates but they could not hear me," added USA Forward TJ Oshie.

The game had everything and anything the flag-waving fans who packed the home stadium of the fabled football team Schalke 04 could have asked for. First of all, Germany put in a solid effort in preventing the USA from extending its streak to six straight victories in the opening game of the World Championships.

Org. were hoping to break the old record of 74,554 spectators, set in a 2001 game between Michigan & Michigan State Universities, and they did just that, and a little more.

The history making audience also broke the World Championship record attendance of 55,000, set in the 1957 tournament in Moscow when the deciding game was played between the Soviets and Sweden which was played in the Luzhniki Stadium.

There was even a marriage proposal flashed across the big screen during the first intermission, with the bride-to-be beaming with joy in the stands as she said yes.

The Germans are known as a team that stresses defense over offense but had more scoring chances then their opponents and capitalized on a smart play to open the scoring. Germany was pressuring the USA when forward Marcel Muller won a race to a loose puck in the corner to their right of USA Goaltender Scott Clemmensen. Muller sent a cross-crease pass to Michael Wolf, who was hovering about one meter off the lip of the crease to Clemmensen's left, and all Clemmensen could do was watch as Wolf ripped a wrist shot into a wide open net.

German Goalie Dennis Endras turned in a solid effort.

"Their goalie was phenomenal," said defensemen Jack Johnson. Endras was quick to close his legs and prevent a snap shot by Nick Foligno midway through the 1st period.

Then early in the 2nd period, Endras kicked out a low shot by TJ Galiardi, and the crowd chanted "Deutschland, Deutschland."

"You feed off that," said German defensemen Nicolai Goc.

Endras wasn't at fault at all when Ryan Carter jammed a rebound into the net at 8:28 of the third period. Carter banged at a loose puck in the crease and it came to a stop across the goal line after the puck deflected off the goalie's right pad.

Schultz then sent the fans home happy with a smile on their face.

"It was an amazing way to end the game. We couldn't have asked for more," said Goc.

Playing in front of a record crowd was nothing new for two members of the USA Team, Eric Nystrom and David Moss, both played their first collegiate game in the match that determined that determined the previous world record.

Game Boxscore

U.S.A. 1 Germany 2 (0-0, 0-1, 1-0, 0-1)

0-1 GER: Michael Wolf (Muller, Ullmann) 5:20 2nd

1-1 USA: Ryan Carter (Unassisted) 8:28 3rd

1-2 GER: Felix Schultz (Unassisted) 0:21 OT


Game Stats

SOG: USA 32 GER 20

PP: USA 0/4 GER 0/4

PIM: USA 8 Minutes on 4 Penalties GER 8 Minutes on 4 Penalties

Goalies: USA Scott Clemmensen 18 SVS on 20 Shots GER Dennis Endras 31 SVS on 32 Shots

ATT: 77803

IIHF World Hockey Championship Prelim Round Schedule

The 2010 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships will get underway on Friday with a game that will be looking to set a World Record. It will be between the Americans who are looking to end the international season with a medal in every major event this season.

If the Americans are looking to improve on a solid 4th place finish from last year. To do it, a very young squad will take the ice from mostly NHL Teams that either failed to make or got ousted early on in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Germany on the other hand is looking to rebound after a couple of disappointing performances. In the Winter Olympic Tournament, the Germans finished 11th where only a superior goal differential to Latvia kept them out of last. To make it worse, a bad showing where they were not very competitive in all of their games in the Olympics.

Then in the IHWC last year, a 15th place finish would have relegated them to DIV. 1 if it weren't for them hosting this year's World Championship.

As for the World Record Attempt, it will be played at the Veltins-Arena which is home to the German Soccer Giants FC Schakle in the German Bundesliga. The current record is held by Michigan VS. Michigan State where they will able to fill in a little over 70,000 for a regular season game back in 2001 at the Michigan State Football Stadium.

The Target crowd for this game will be a little over 75,000 for the tournament opener as the Germans will be the home side, but be big underdogs to an American side that won the Olympic Silver Medal, WJC & U18 Gold Medals during the season. Also winning the World U17 Challenge and the World Jr. A Challenge earlier in the season.

The rest of the tournament will have a Canada team that will be looking to match Sweden's success of winning both the Olympics and the IHWC Gold Medal's in the Same year. That made Sweden the first nation ever to win both events in the same year.

Despite most of the Canadian Fan Base following the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they're always high expectations for Team Canada at this event. Especially since Canada won the Silver Medal on Home Ice back in 2007 when the tournament was held in Quebec City & Halifax.

Russia is the two time defending champions and with several big name stars on this team. Russia is looking to make it a 3 peat. The Russians will start the tournament with an interesting group with Belarus, a Slovak Team that finished 4th in the Olympics. Plus Kazakhstan who got promoted from the IHWC DIV. 1 Tournament last year and always get pumped up for their former Soviet Rivals.

This year's Tournament gets going Friday in the German Cities of Mannheim and Colonge with the opener being played in Gelsenkirchen. Groups A & D will be in Colonge while Groups B & C will be in Mannheim. Colonge's Lanxess Arena is home to Kolner Haie while Mannheim's SAP Arena is home to Adler Mannheim. Both Kolner Haie and Adler Mannheim play in the German DEL which is the top Hockey League in Germany.

Be sure to look for links regarding team previews and Game Stories as the Tournament starts on Friday. For more info, log on to the International Ice Hockey Federation Website at www.iihf.com

For the USA Roster this year, other then the mostly NHL Based players. The goalie situation with Ben Bishop of the Peoria Rivermen (AHL) and David Leggio of TPS Turku in the Finnish SM-Liiga should be interesting to follow. Also Chris Kreider will be capping off a very successful season that saw him win the World Junior Championship with Team USA and his Boston College Eagles winning the NCAA National Hockey Championship just a few weeks ago.

Team USA Roster: www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=TU_01_03&id=285864

Here's a look at the 16 teams and the 1st Round Groups for the IHWC which begins on Friday.

Group A in Colonge: Russia, Belarus, Slovakia, Kazakhstan

Group B in Mannheim: Canada, Switzerland, Latvia, Italy

Group C in Mannheim: Sweden, Czech Republic, Norway, France

Group D in Colonge: Finland, USA, Germany, Denmark


Here's the Prelim Round Schedule. Plus dates for the Rest of the Tournament. The Prelim Round Schedule will be Local Time/CDT

May 7

D: USA VS. Germany 8:15 PM/1:15 PM (In Gelsenkirchen)


May 8

B: Canada VS. Italy 4:15 PM/9:15 AM

D: Finland VS. Denmark 4:15 PM/9:15 AM

B: Switzerland VS. Latvia 8:15 PM/1:15 PM


May 9

A: Belarus VS. Kazakhstan 4:15 PM/9:15 AM

C: Czech Republic VS. France 4:15 PM/9:15 AM

A: Slovakia VS. Russia 8:15 PM/1:15 PM

C: Norway VS. Sweden 8:15 PM/1:15 PM


May 10

D: USA VS. Denmark 4:15 PM/9:15 AM

B: Switzerland VS. Italy 4:15 PM/9:15 AM

D: Germany VS. Finland 8:15 PM/1:15 PM

B: Latvia VS. Canada 8:15 PM/1:15 PM


May 11

A: Russia VS. Kazakhstan 4:15 PM/9:15 AM

C: Czech Republic VS. Norway 4:15 PM/9:15 AM

A: Belarus VS. Slovakia 8:15 PM/1:15 PM

C: Sweden VS. France 8:15 PM/1:15 PM


May 12

D: Denmark VS. Germany 4:15 PM/9:15 AM

B: Italy VS. Latvia 4:15 PM/9:15 AM

D: Finland VS. USA 8:15 PM/1:15 PM

B: Canada VS. Switzerland 8:15 PM/1:15 PM


May 13

A: Russia VS. Belarus 4:15 PM/9:15 AM

C: France VS. Norway 4:15 PM/9:15 AM

A: Kazakhstan VS. Slovakia 8:15 PM/1:15 PM

C: Sweden VS. Czech Republic 8:15 PM/1:15 PM


Dates for the Rest of the Ice Hockey World Championship

Qualification & Relegation Rounds: May 14-18


Qualification Group E in Colonge (Groups A & D Combined)

Qualification Group F in Mannheim (Groups B & C Combined)


Relegation Round (4th Place Teams from All 4 Groups)

Half of the Relegation Games will be played in Both Venues.


Quarterfinals: May 20 2 in Colonge, 2 in Mannheim

Semifinals: May 22 in Colonge

Medal Round: May 23 in Colonge