US done at World Championships
Going into last night’s match with Finland, the United States had never beaten the Finns in an elimination game at the World Championships or Olympics. Never.
The game changed nothing.
Trailing 2-0 late in the 3rd period, the US rallied to tie it on goals by Phil Kessel and our boy Drew Stafford.
It’s a really disappointing end for the US team, which seemed to struggle with goaltending throughout the tournament. Whether that’s due to the fact that the three goalies were Tim Thomas, Craig Anderson and Robert frickin’ Esche remains to be seen.
I think it’d be safe to say that Ryan Miller or Rick DiPietro may have been of assistance this year.
And of course, the two teams wouldn’t have played if it weren’t for this:
What a joke.
Still a solid tournament for Stafford and our new favorite American, Jason Pominville.
Drew finishes with a goal and 3 assists, while Pommer tallied two goals and three assists.
+ + + + +
It was also a big night for some of the other Sabres participating.
Canada’s Derek Roy tallied a hattie and an assist in their 8-2 win over Norway.
Max Afinogenov had two goals for Russia in a 6-0 win over Switzerland.
Joining Drew and Jason on the golf course will be my boy AlKo. Ales Kotalik and the Czechs are done after losing to Sweden. Kotalik has been by far the most productive Sabre behind Roy, scoring 5 goals and two assists for the Czechs in the tournament.
Posted on May 15, 2008, in Sabres/NHL and tagged Ales Kotalik, Derek Roy, Drew Stafford, Getting Screwed, Jason Pominville, Maxim Afinogenov, USA Hockey. Bookmark the permalink. 3 Comments.
3rd Man In 
Wow, what a disappointing end to USA Hockey’s participation in Halifax.
Ice hockey is my favorite sport, and I try not to over-react when we lose in international hockey. Factually, I know that when ESPN broadcast NHL hockey that poker card games were getting higher television ratings than the NHL – – –
However, of the 16 nations competing at the IIHF World Hockey Championship Tournament in 2008, the United States probably has the largest population with 300 million people. 300 million people, ten times the population of Canada, and we cannot find a way to win in international tournaments.
I am not a paying member of USA Hockey, but perhaps I should become a member of USA Hockey.
I tried to purchase souvenirs for my fifth-grade daughter after Team USA beat Team Canada for the World Championship of women’s ice hockey.
I was told by a very nice lady at USA Hockey in Colorado Springs that there are not any souvenirs being produced for the women’s championship.
I love the 1980 Team USA, and the results at Lake Placid, but that was 28 years ago! I feel that whenever an American sports team, IN ANY SPORT, wins a medal at international competitions, that sports team should be recognized with souvenirs.
I am not a basketball fan. However, I do like what USA Basketball did before the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China. USA Basketball told all the NBA players that were invited to camp that the players had to agree to a two-year committment to international basketball. Or else, leave.
I know that most of the players for the men’s international hockey teams come from NHL teams. But, perhaps USA Hockey should begin preparing now for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Whistler, British Columbia, and blow off the 2009 World Championship tournament! Maybe we should get players who are near-NHL quality who can devote the next 20 months preparing for the Olympic Games.
I do not know if there is a “Herb Brooks” style of coach available, but I hope that USA Hockey can do something to improve the results of USA Hockey at international competitions.
And, finally, another frustration, Go Habs Go. I am going to root for the Western Hockey League junior hockey team at the Memorial Cup. James
The goaltending situation had a lot to do with it. Without Miller and DiPietro, the US is weak in goal.
Eric i dont know about that man.. but we will see