CZE – USA 3:8: Team USA stun Czech Republic in great style

Team USA scored eight goals in a stunning performance that saw them destroy Czech chances of reaching finals in front of their home crowd. Dominance of American players was underlined by their discipline and superb power play combinations and Czechs could not find a suitable answer.

Game 7   •   SF   •   Fr 16.7.2010   •   18:10   •   Schedule and results
Czech Republic	3:8	USA
(2:5, 1:3, 0:0)
Handl (27. Jirkuv) - Rachunek, Toman, Strycek, Zacha, Tvrznik, Snopek, Kames, Vozdecky, Besser, Balazs, Rudovsky, Sebek, Loskot, Sinagl.		Urbano, Brown - Thompson, Mosenson, Keene, Spain, Sgrillo, Fudge, Laricchia, Cadiz, Roux, Redstreake, Messina, Bond.
Goals and assists: 4. Rachunek, 19. Vozdecky (Sebek), 33. Sinagl (Toman) - 2. Messina (Thompson), 6. Messina (Redstreake), 7. Fudge, 9. Laricchia (Sgrillo), 10. Fudge (Messina), 26. Fudge (Messina), 27. Sgrillo (Keene), 37. Cadiz (Thompson).
Shots: 37:33 (22:19, 15:14, 0:0). Penalties: 4:3. PP goals: 0:3. SH goals: 0:0. Referees: G. Mackinnon, A. Grandini.
Official game sheet (PDF)     video

Report

In a clash of two title favorites, some might have considered this game to be an early final. Team USA went into this game with a record that was far from impressive, doing well in all important games, but winning them narrowly by a goal or two and losing a group game against France. On the other hand, Czech Republic enjoyed a successful campaign that saw them beat Italy, Spain, Canada and their quarterfinal opponent Mexico in a record 13-1 victory.

However, all was unimportant when both teams lined up on the rink of Beroun stadium for a clash that was played in searing heat of more than 30 degrees Celsius. And it was Team USA, who started to assert their authority almost immediately when Messina finished a quick break to take an early lead. Czechs fought back two minutes later when Rachunek proved great anticipation to rebound his own shot deflected off the back boards. This was the last time Czech Republic was even in score. Shortly after, two players were sent to a penalty box at the same time and USA made the most of it, Messina and Fudge taking the score to 3-1.

Shock start for the home crowd was about to continue thanks to Laricchia and Fudge´s second goal. Vozdecky managed to pull one back late in the first half, but the score 2-5 was fully deserved and brought despair onto the sticks of Czech players. Balazs´s shot over the crossbar of open net early in the second half was the last real chance for Czech Republic to get back into the game. With home team taking more risks, Americans used their opportunities to make the margin in score even bigger. Fudge completed his hat-trick, Sgrillo and Cadiz added another goals and Sinagl´s correction was only a small joy for a Czech team. By that time, the winner of this game was decided long ago. "We knew that we had to play better game than yesterday because Team Czech Republic is really good. Plus, they have the advantage of home atmosphere. It helped a lot that we stayed out from the penalty box," said Pete Messina of Team USA.

Author: Lukas Peroutka

Comments

Charles Thuss (Team USA coach):  I have to say that the Czech Republic has a very, very, very good team and we have a lot respect of them. The score doesn´t dictate the game that was played, just we played our best game. One of the key points today was that we didn´t waste time in penalty box. I watched Czech team all week and we know that they are very good in power plays. I told that before the game to my players, they listened to and it does work. We have to keep this tactic tomorrow in final game.