USA Falls To Czech Republic
December 31, 2004 | Men's Hockey
Team USA missed its chance at first place in Pool A and a bye in the medal round of the World Junior Championship as it fell to the Czech Republic, 3-1, in the final game of Preliminary Round action in Grand Forks, N.D., Thursday. The loss drops the U.S. to third in its pool with a 2-2-0 record, and forces the Americans into a contest Saturday against Sweden.
The Czech team opened the scoring, tallying the only goal in the first period with Rostislav Olesz one-timing a bouncing puck over the left shoulder of Al Montoya. As the second period got underway, Lukas Kasper upped the Czech lead to two, firing a hard shot from the top of the circle for 2-0, Czech Republic. After 18 minutes of scoreless hockey, Dan Fritsche put Team USA on the board, launching a shot, high to the stick-side to bring the U.S. within one.
The score remained 2-1 until the final minute of play, despite three Drew Stafford chances, two of which hit posts in the third period. With just five seconds remaining to play, Olesz scored his second of the night, an empty-netter, for the 3-1 final score.
In other tournament action Thursday, Canada downed Finland, 8-1, at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D.. In games at Thief River Falls, Minn., Sweden defeated Slovakia, 3-0, and Russia beat Switzerland, 6-1.
Russia (Group A) and Canada (Group B) earned the top seeds in their respective groups and received a bye into semifinal play.
The crossover games in medal-round play are set for Jan. 1: the Czech Republic faces Finland at 3:38 p.m. (all times CST), with the winner to meet Canada, while Sweden plays the United States at 7:38 p.m., with the winner to meet Russia. If the U.S. advances to the Semifinal Round, it will play at 7:38 p.m. Sunday, otherwise Canada will play in that time slot.
The bronze- (3:08 p.m.) and gold-medal (7:08 p.m.) games are set for Jan. 4. The losing teams in the two crossover games will battle for fifth place on Jan. 3 at 7:38 p.m.
