Team USA finishes winless in the group stage of the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Trophy
2003 champions and five times finalist of the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament failed to register a win in the group stage of this year’s competition as they lost to Finland in their last group stage match, ending fourth out of four teams in the points table.
Team USA had lost their opening match to Russia on 12th August as the game was tied 1-1 after the regulation time and Russia clinched it in the overtime. Their second loss was a disappointing one for them as they lost 5-1 to hosts Czech Republic in a very humiliating manner.
It was already confirmed that Team USA could not finish above the last place of the group but they were playing for their pride so that they can go back to their country with at least one win.
It was a very high scoring game, which was a must win for Finland to qualify for semi-finals. Finland opened the scoring in 17th minute of first period but USA levelled it through Adam Erne.
Kaspeti Ojantakanen gave Finland a lead once again as the first period at ended at 2-1 in favour of Finland. There were 7 goals scored in the second period and it was evenly poised at the end of it, at 5-5.
Finland raced to a 7-5 lead but USA tried to decrease the deficit but Eetu Koivistoinen assured Finland of the win by giving them two goals lead with less than 100 seconds left in the match, an 8-6 lead that Finland maintained till the end.
U.S Team’s head coach Matt Herr was obviously disappointed at the loss but according to him, his side that put in a lot of effort and tried their best but it was a difficult game, as he said,
"We put in a great effort but fell short. We started to find a rhythm and play well, but it's hard to have a game plan for a game like that”.
Herr, 36 years old, who himself is a former ice hockey professional and NHL player, still wants to register a victory in the tournament as his team plays their finals match of the tournament against Slovakia, for the 7th place in the tournament. The former Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers’ player said,
“We play against Slovakia on Friday, so we'll try to find that groove again to be successful."
Tags: