Friday, December 31, 2004 1:53:06 PM
Czech Republic 3, USA 1 ~ Dec. 30
Undrafted Vladislav Koutsky made 38 saves to give the Czechs a 3-1 win
that left the Americans with the third seed in the A Pool.
The Americans now play Saturday at 8:38 p.m. against Sweden, the No. 2 seed in the B Pool
The Swedes downed Slovakia 3-0 to grab that spot on the basis of goal differential.
December 30, 2004
The Czech Republic beat Team USA 3-1 Thursday night at Ralph Engelstad Arena. Czech goalie Vladislav Koutsky was outstanding stopping 38 American shots. The win vaults the Czech Republic to second place in Pool A. The U.S. finishes pool play in third. In an exciting game it was a second period goal by Lukas Kasopar that proved to be the game winner.
“This was a very tough situation for us. There was a lot of pressure on us playing the U.S. There are a lot of people watching at home. We have to go game by game now. This is very fun for our team.”, said Czech forward Jakub Petruzalek.
The Czech Republic got on the scoreboard first on a goal by Rostislav Olesz. Olesz took a sharp angle shot from near the boards that seemed to surprise American goalie Al Montoya. The remainder of the period was a back and forth affair with neither team creating much in terms of scoring chances.
Kaspar’s goal 57 seconds into the second period seemed to get the Americans into the game. From that point on it was all Team USA as the scoring chances came in waves towards Koutsky. The U.S. had several great chances as Jake Dowell had a partial breakaway, but Koutsky just got a pad on the shot to keep it out of the net. Finally the U.S. got to Koutsky when Dan Fritshe scored in the last minute of the period on a wrist shot that beat Koutsky up high.
“We played better than we did against Belarus. That was our goal. Their goalie played tough, I felt that we carried play. We kept the puck in their end. I feel we played a full 60 minute game.” , said U.S. forward Drew Stafford
The United States opened the third period much as it ended the second, with pucks coming at Koutsky from every direction. The Americans thought they the tying goal just 24 seconds into the period, but after a video review by referee Chris Savage it was ruled that the goal did not count.
“This was my first time ever in front of a crowd like this. It feels good to do well. It helps as a goalie when you face a lot of shots. It keeps you in the game.”, said Koutsky.
U.S. coach Scott Sandelin chose to pull Montoya in favor of an extra skater with over three minutes remaining in the third period. With the U.S. seeking first place in the pool and needing a win to secure that spot it was a move that had to be made. The Americans used the extra skater to their advantage keeping the puck in the Czech end for most of the last three minutes. It wasn’t until an empty net goal by Olesz with five seconds remaining that the Czech Republic secured the victory.
“We were tentative in the first half of the game. Their goalie was outstanding. We did everything but score. It’s disappointing to lose, but they are a very good hockey team.”, said Sandelin.
The U.S. will now play Sweden on Saturday in a quarterfinal match with the winner taking on Russia. The Czech Republic will play Finland on Saturday as well with the winner of that match playing Canada on Sunday.
by Andrew Oberle
http://ralphsworldjr.com/New2/index.php?page=news_In&dat=Dec30_3
Undrafted Vladislav Koutsky made 38 saves to give the Czechs a 3-1 win
that left the Americans with the third seed in the A Pool.
The Americans now play Saturday at 8:38 p.m. against Sweden, the No. 2 seed in the B Pool
The Swedes downed Slovakia 3-0 to grab that spot on the basis of goal differential.
December 30, 2004
The Czech Republic beat Team USA 3-1 Thursday night at Ralph Engelstad Arena. Czech goalie Vladislav Koutsky was outstanding stopping 38 American shots. The win vaults the Czech Republic to second place in Pool A. The U.S. finishes pool play in third. In an exciting game it was a second period goal by Lukas Kasopar that proved to be the game winner.
“This was a very tough situation for us. There was a lot of pressure on us playing the U.S. There are a lot of people watching at home. We have to go game by game now. This is very fun for our team.”, said Czech forward Jakub Petruzalek.
The Czech Republic got on the scoreboard first on a goal by Rostislav Olesz. Olesz took a sharp angle shot from near the boards that seemed to surprise American goalie Al Montoya. The remainder of the period was a back and forth affair with neither team creating much in terms of scoring chances.
Kaspar’s goal 57 seconds into the second period seemed to get the Americans into the game. From that point on it was all Team USA as the scoring chances came in waves towards Koutsky. The U.S. had several great chances as Jake Dowell had a partial breakaway, but Koutsky just got a pad on the shot to keep it out of the net. Finally the U.S. got to Koutsky when Dan Fritshe scored in the last minute of the period on a wrist shot that beat Koutsky up high.
“We played better than we did against Belarus. That was our goal. Their goalie played tough, I felt that we carried play. We kept the puck in their end. I feel we played a full 60 minute game.” , said U.S. forward Drew Stafford
The United States opened the third period much as it ended the second, with pucks coming at Koutsky from every direction. The Americans thought they the tying goal just 24 seconds into the period, but after a video review by referee Chris Savage it was ruled that the goal did not count.
“This was my first time ever in front of a crowd like this. It feels good to do well. It helps as a goalie when you face a lot of shots. It keeps you in the game.”, said Koutsky.
U.S. coach Scott Sandelin chose to pull Montoya in favor of an extra skater with over three minutes remaining in the third period. With the U.S. seeking first place in the pool and needing a win to secure that spot it was a move that had to be made. The Americans used the extra skater to their advantage keeping the puck in the Czech end for most of the last three minutes. It wasn’t until an empty net goal by Olesz with five seconds remaining that the Czech Republic secured the victory.
“We were tentative in the first half of the game. Their goalie was outstanding. We did everything but score. It’s disappointing to lose, but they are a very good hockey team.”, said Sandelin.
The U.S. will now play Sweden on Saturday in a quarterfinal match with the winner taking on Russia. The Czech Republic will play Finland on Saturday as well with the winner of that match playing Canada on Sunday.
by Andrew Oberle
http://ralphsworldjr.com/New2/index.php?page=news_In&dat=Dec30_3
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