December 30, 2011
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Disappointment for Team USA at World Juniors
CHN Staff Report
Team USA was upset for the second straight game Friday afternoon, losing 5-2 to the Czech Republic, and will not qualify for the medal round of this year's World Junior Championships. It's a disappointing tournament for the Americans, who were considered among the favorites and are coming off a bronze medal last year.
The game New Year's Eve between Canada and the U.S., which has become a huge rivalry, will have no importance to the tournament itself.
"I'm extremely disappointed, but am still focused on tomorrow's game," said Dean Blais, head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team and coach at Nebraska-Omaha. "Our players have a lot of pride, and we will be ready to go tomorrow."
The U.S. scored twice on the power play and fired 54 total shots on net, but it wasn't enough. The Americans dropped to 1-2, coming off a loss to Finland on Wednesday.
Midway through the third period, Josh Archibald (Nebraska-Omaha) earned a penalty shot when he was tripped while driving to the net. Czech Republic goaltender Petr Mrazek made a save on Archibald's penalty shot attempt, however, keeping the game tied, 2-2.
The Czech Republic went on to score three times, including an empty-net tally late, to secure the victory. Jack Campbell made 24 saves, while Mrazek stopped 52 shots in the win.
Team USA took a 1-0 lead at 5:14 of the first period on the power play. J.T. Miller fed a pass from the left circle across the slot to T.J. Tynan (Notre Dame), who tapped the puck into a wide open net for his first goal of the tournament. But the Czech Republic scored to even the score at 1-1 after one period.
Team USA regained a one-goal lead midway through the second when Bill Arnold (Boston College) fired home a rebound off of a shot by Jason Zucker (Denver). The Czech Republic responded once again, however, sending the game into the third period tied, 2-2.
