IIHF World Championships: Team US avoids upset against Kazakhstan in hard-fought 3-2 win-NHL News
Team USA, who are one of the favourites to win the ongoing International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) championships, were lucky to have avoided an upset against Kazakhstan on Friday, May 11, 2012.
It was down to the last-minute goal from Carolina Hurricanes’ defenseman, Justin Faulk, which had come with only 22 seconds left in the overtime, that the US were able to pull off the hard-fought 3-2 win.
Before the last goal, Kazakh team gave too tough time to the US and in spite of consistent attacks on their net they managed to hold on Team US tied two goals each.
The US difficulty was particularly notable given that Kazakhstan had come into the game at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland, winless, and no one could have expected them to be able to put on such a strong show.
Team US is a far better outfit and quite ahead in the tournament. They were even able to register a win against their opponents from across the border, Team Canada, who have a better past record against the US.
Faulk turned out to be hero of the US-Kazakhstan game. His earlier score had given the US 2-1 lead over Kazakhstan into third period of the game.
Kazakhstan then staged another fight and after consistently attacking the US net, managed to level the score with less than five minutes left in the regulation.
Their performance baffled not only the US team but also the game analysts who in their pre-game analysis had predicted an easy ride for Team US.
Team US was helped by a goal from T.J. Browns to get a lead in the first period but Kazakhs were soon able to level the score with a goal from Konstantin Pushkaryov.
With the final score tied two goals each, none of the team was able to score in the overtime until 22 seconds were left when the US pulled off the final and decisive goal.
The United States are up against even better team for their next game. They are facing the reigning world champions and co-host of the event, Finland.
Tags: