In their last game of the group sage in the tournament the United States took on Germany. The United States was undefeated heading into this game. The United States beat Canada in a huge 4-2 victory in their last game. Germany was 1-1-0 coming into this game. In their last game Germany beat China 3-2. The United States had a chance to win Group A if they won this game.
Game Review
The United States took a penalty for holding 1 minute 14 seconds into the game. Germany would score on the powerplay. Germany would take two penalties for hooking and slashing at 3 minutes 14 seconds into the game. The United Sates would take a penalty for slashing at the same time. The United States would tie the game on the powerplay. Steven Kampfer would score the goal. Andy Miele and Brian O’Neil would get the assists. Germany would take a penalty for holding. The United States would take a penalty for high stick. It would be a 4 minute penalty as the high stick drew blood. The game was tied 1-1 going into the second period.
The United States would take the lead 4 minutes into the third period. Matt Knies would score. Nick Abruzzese and Aaron Ness would get the assists. Germany would get a penalty for delay of game before play started back up. The United States would take a penalty for tripping. Then they would take another penalty for tripping. Germany would take a penalty for cross-checking at the end of the period. The United States would have a 2-1 lead going into the third period.
Nathan Smith would make it 3-1 USA. He scored 2 minutes into the third period. His goal was unassisted. Late in the period Germany would bring the game within one goal. Germany would then pull their goalie. USA didn’t score on the empty net. They did come close though. The final score was 3-2 USA.
Germany scored first. That makes it back to back games where the United States scored second. At 7 minutes 51 seconds in the first period one of the Germany players was hit with a slap shot right in the cup. The United States net front presence was on fire in this game. Ounce again they out hustled the other team. They got to pucks first. They were winning battles along the boards. It was a lot closer than their other games. USA was able to still get the win. This is the third time that USA hockey has gone undefeated in the group stage. They went undefeated in the 1960 during the VIII Olympic Winter Games (Squaw Valley 1960) and in 2010 during the XXI Olympic Winter Games (Vancouver 2010). They did win gold in the 1960 olympics.
Stats
Next game
The United States won Group A. They get to skip the Qualification Play-off. They are automatically in the Quarterfinals. Now they wait to see who they will play next. They will play the winner of the Germany vs Slovakia game.
Zac Electrifly 