Saturday, December 31, 2011

Goodnight, USA


The goal of medaling three straight years in the World Junior Championship is over for the United States.

A 5-2 loss to the Czech Republic in Edmonton yesterday left the U.S with one win and two losses in three group games in the 2012 IIHF U20 WJC. Coupled with Finland's 9-1 win over Denmark last night, the Americans have been eliminated from medal contention.

T.J. Tynan (Notre Dame) and Bill Arnold (Boston College) scored power-play goals for the U.S., which saw Czech goaltender Petr Mrazek make 52 saves, including a penalty-shot attempt by Josh Archibald in the third period. The Czechs then scored three unanswered goals to break a 2-2 tie, with Petr Holik getting the game-winner off a rebound with 7:34 remaining in regulation time. Jack Campbell made 24 saves for the U.S. in defeat.

The U.S. faces Canada tonight at Rexall Place in its final preliminary-round contest to close out the 2011 calendar year.

ADDENDUM: Despite 32 saves by Campbell, and third-period goals by Charlie Coyle and Jason Zucker (Denver), the U.S. fell to Canada, 3-2.

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