U.S. men’s hockey team eliminated in Olympics quarterfinals, falling to Slovakia in dramatic shootout
The U.S. men’s hockey group was eliminated Wednesday immediately after falling to Slovakia in a shootout in the quarterfinals at the Beijing Olympics.
With a ultimate score of 3-2, Slovakia moves on to the semifinals, wherever they will encounter the winner of the Canada vs. Sweden match.
The U.S. bought off to a stable start off versus the Slovaks, outshooting them 5- in the early part of the opening stanza. But not long soon after the period’s midway position, Slovakian sensation Juraj Slafkovsky netted his event-foremost fifth purpose to crack the ice.
The 17-year-previous was remaining entirely unguarded in the slot and fired a laser previous U.S. goalkeeper Strauss Mann to give his squad the early edge. Slafkovsky may perhaps be the youngest participant of the event, but he’s by now hunting like a budding star.
The Americans finally responded with a objective of their have with just 45 seconds remaining in the 1st period. Nick Abruzzese potted his initially marker of the event with enable from Kenny Agostino, Steven Kampfer and Beniers on the hurry.
Even with the obvious momentum change at the close of the game’s to start with 20 minutes, the middle period of time was significantly from excellent for the Us citizens. Slovakia outshot them 13-6 in the 2nd frame and produced several high-quality scoring likelihood. Mann, nonetheless, was capable to continue to keep all of their alternatives out of the web. The Greenwich, Connecticut, native stopped 24 of the 36 pictures fired in his way.
When the Slovaks had the clear gain in the shots office throughout the center stanza, Sam Hentges managed to rating his initially target of the tournament just prior to the game’s halfway, and it gave the U.S. the 2-1 direct. It wound up remaining the final aim the Individuals would score at the 2022 Video games.
The U.S. headed into the quarterfinals with a ideal 3- report in group perform and acquired off to a reliable begin against the Slovaks, outshooting them 5- in the early part of the opening stanza. But not prolonged right after the period’s midway issue, Slovakian sensation Juraj Slafkovsky netted his match-main fifth purpose to break the ice.
The 17-year-previous was remaining absolutely unguarded in the slot and fired a laser earlier U.S. goalkeeper Strauss Mann to give his squad the early advantage.
The People in america sooner or later responded with a goal of their personal with just 45 seconds remaining in the first period. Nick Abruzzese potted his very first marker of the event with support from Kenny Agostino, Steven Kampfer and Matty Beniers on the hurry.
Even with the very clear momentum change at the close of the game’s initially 20 minutes, the middle period was considerably from excellent for the Americans.
Slovakia outshot them 13-6 in the 2nd body and created numerous excellent scoring likelihood. Mann, however, was in a position to retain all of their alternatives out of the web. The Greenwich, Connecticut, native stopped 24 of the 36 shots fired in his way.
Although the Slovaks experienced the clear benefit in the photographs office all through the center stanza, Sam Hentges managed to score his initially objective of the tournament just in advance of the game’s midway, and it gave the U.S. the 2-1 lead. It wound up remaining the final purpose the Individuals would score at the 2022 Game titles.
With just 43.7 seconds remaining in regulation, Slovak forward Marek Hrivik scored with his team’s net empty to tie the match and ultimately force.
Even with the two the U.S. and Slovakia managing to crank out various good quality scoring odds, neither group was ready to score in the extremely-eventful 10-moment, 3-on-3 OT period.
Aims were being just as really hard to appear by in the shootout, but when a puck finally did strike the back again of the web, it arrived off the adhere of Slovakia’s Peter Cehlarik.
Slovakia goaltender Patrik Rybar didn’t let a single goal in the shootout, halting the People in america on all five of their tries. Rybar finished the tilt with 33 will save on 35 U.S. pictures.
The U.S. has not manufactured it to the semifinals since 2014 at the Sochi Video games. It was there they dropped a 1- activity to Canada, who would go on to get the gold medal.
Workforce Usa experienced beforehand arrived at the semifinal spherical in 2010 and 2002, with both ending in defeats to Canada in the gold medal recreation.
Slovakia was not thought of a favorite to advance to the semifinals in the men’s match by any means, but with NHL gamers not having part in the Olympics, the enjoying discipline was evened out significantly due to the higher existence of novice players.
Slovakia will enjoy their semifinal activity Thursday night time at 11:10 p.m. ET.
Claire Cardona contributed.
