USA vs. Slovakia (Spoilers!)

[RangersCanesFan]

Didn't even realize they were playing today.

Pleasantly surprised when I surfed over to the IIHF site to see us leading 4-1 midway through the second.

Hutchinson with the first goal.

Also found out that the top 9 in the World Rankings after the 2008 Championships automatically qualify for the 2010 Olympics. The US is #7 right now. A Top 4 this year pretty much guarantees it.

[Canesluver]

End of the 2nd period -- US winning 4-1!!

Johnny's in net.

Goals by Hutch :D, Backes (SHG!), Kessel, and Bochenski (PPG)

Zdeno Chara has Slovakia's lone goal.

Let's go US!

:usa:

[Canesluver]

oops! Marion Gaborik beats Grahame high side/right shoulder

4-2, US

[Canesluver]

It's getting chippy out there. Less than 2 minutes left.

Erik was NOT happy with Satan. U.S. gets a power play (Satan in the box for roughing)!

And....

The US WINS!!! :usa:

And... it looks like Grahame's cut his hair.... if anyone cares!! :lol:

Chara's Slovakia's "player of the game," and Ryan Suter is for the U.S. (and Grahame made some really nice saves. I was kinda hoping he'd get the player-of-the-game medal) They did a close-up of the player-of-the-game medals. They're gold, and rectangular--about the size of a money clip. Nice.

[Canesluver]

Here's the write-up from ihwc.net:

USA earns impressive 4-2 win over Slovaks
By John Sanful

MYTISCHI--Team USA took a major step forward at the 2007 IIHF World Championship, defeating Slovakia 4-2 in its first game of the Qualifying Round at Mytischi Arena.
The Americans received superb goaltending from John Grahame, who displayed a quiet efficiency in turning back the Slovak attack with 29 saves.
Each team was coming off a loss to close out the Preliminary Round. As this round shapes up, defense and goaltending become more important, and the Americans had both elements going for them in this game.
Early on, the Slovaks enjoyed the better of the play. Marek Uram was involved for Slovakia throughout the period. He skated with confidence and seemed to be constantly generating scoring chances.
But for the third time in four games, the Americans drew first blood. Brandon Bochenski's drop pass was shot in stride by Andrew Hutchinson, who drilled it past Slovak goalie Karol Krizan at 8:17.
"We knew it was important to come out and get a lead because they are pretty dangerous," said American defenseman Ryan Suter. "They have so many good forwards like Gaborik and Hossa, stars in the NHL, and it is tough to play against them when they are ahead."
Over the period Slovakia outshot Team USA 18-7. They applied serious pressure on the American goal, with most of their shots coming between both faceoff circles and down low. As well, the USA spent six of the first 20 minutes in the penalty box, allowing Slovakia to work its magic with the man advantage.
But regardless, the Americans used one of the three minors called to their advantage, scoring a shorthanded goal to make it 2-0 at 12:27. David Backes tipped away a pass intended for Peter Podhradsky and was off to the races. He went in on a breakaway and put a pretty backhand high past Krizan.
Slovakia cut the deficit to 2-1 when Uram sent a precision pass through two defenders, across the crease, and on the tape of Zdeno Chara's stick. All Chara had to do was tap it past Grahame, who had no chance at 13:08.
Although the Americans headed off to the locker room with the lead, there was plenty of reason for them to be cautious against the offensively explosive Slovaks.
However, things got even better for the USA in the second period, and the Boston Bruins were well-represented as two of their young snipers chipped in goals.
"We have a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of energy," said Bochenski. "The coach is keeping it fun for us and we have had a good game plan for every game."
Phil Kessel starred in the second with a goal and assist. In the fifth minute, Kessel drove to the net and shot the puck. Krizan made the save, but the rebound came out in front, hit the skate of Thomas Harant and went through Krizan's pads. The unassisted goal at 4:52 was Kessel's second of the tournament and his first since opening night against Austria.
Bochenski made up for his two minor penalties in the first by picking up his own rebound in front and converting the chance at 12:37 for his first goal of the tournament and a 4-1 American lead.
"We are not a team that will sit back, we're going to come after them," said Bochenski of an American team that has scored 18 goals in the tournament.
The Slovaks would have to come out and play desperate hockey in the third. Marian Gaborik scored at 11:21 to make it 4-2, but they never came any closer.
Team USA's success to date this year in the tournament may be a surprise for many, but the squad looks poised to compete for its nation's first medal since winning bronze in Prague 2004.
"We knew they played the late game last night so it was important to get off to a good start," said Grahame. "You always have to believe you can win a medal and we are playing with a lot of confidence right now."
"Grahame did a great job again for us tonight," Suter said of his goaltender's performance. "We capitalized when it counted, and he made the big saves, which is what you need."
http://live82.ihwc.net/img/box.big.bottom.gif

[caveman]

Yay Grahame and Hutch!