USA Hockey grab 2 wins on first day of competition | World University Games

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USA Hockey grab 2 wins on first day of competition

USA Hockey grab 2 wins on first day of competition

U.S. Men’s National University Team Tops Sweden, 2-0

Alba di Canazei, Italy – Chris Joseph (Levittown, N.Y./Stony Brook University) tallied a first-period goal and Bobby Bodette (Garden, Mich./Adrian College) added a late empty-netter to help the U.S. Men’s National University Team defeat Sweden, 2-0, in the opening game of the 2013 Winter World University Games here today.

“I’m extremely excited to have a great first win against a very good Swedish team,” said Scott Balboni, head coach of the U.S. Men’s National University Team. “We’re looking forward to enjoying the success over the next few days. Right now we’re playing great as a team, which is what we’re excited about, but we also know we have a long way to go to reach our ultimate goal.”

Joseph scored 16:57 into the opening frame to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead. Nick Taurence (Trenton, Mich./Eastern Michigan University) took as pass from Duncan Green (Athens, Ohio/Ohio University) and skated the puck up the right side before dishing it to Joseph just inside the blue line. Joseph settled the puck, moved to the top of the left circle and beat Team Sweden goaltender Kent Helin between the glove and left leg.

The score stayed 1-0 after two periods despite Team USA out-shooting the Swedes, 16-10, in the middle stanza and 38-17 through 40 minutes.Mens hockey vs sweden

The Americans continued to pressure in the third period, out-shooting Sweden, 9-2, and finally were able to add an insurance marker with just 11 seconds remaining in the contest. After killing off a Team Sweden power play in the final three minutes of regulation, Bachman grabbed a puck along the far wall and flipped it into the open net to seal the U.S. victory. Ryan Cotcamp (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./Stony Brook University) and Billy Balent (Waterford, Mich./Oakland University) were credited with assists on the play.

Matt Cooper (Duluth, Minn./Iowa State University) started for the U.S. and was forced to make several quality stops on his way to a 19-save shutout.

The U.S. Men’s National University Team will resume play in the preliminary round of the 2013 Winter World University Games Friday (Dec. 13) when it takes on Latvia. Opening face-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET.

U.S. Women’s National University Team Defeats Russia, 4-2

Pergine, Italy – Katie Augustine (West Chester, Ohio/Miami University) scored twice and two other U.S. skaters added tallies to help the U.S. Women’s National University Team top Russia, 4-2, in the team’s first game at the 2013 Winter World University Games here today.

“We weren’t sure how good we were going to be going into the game, but now we know,” said Mo Stroemel, head coach of the 2013 U.S. Women’s National University Team. “This was a really good Russian team. Not only do we know we have a good team, but a great bunch of people on this team. As a staff, we’re looking forward to continuing the tournament on Thursday and helping this group reach its potential.”

womens hockeyStrong play in the opening period helped Team USA build a 2-1 lead entering the first intermission. Augustine put the U.S. on the board with help from Alisha DiFilippo (Hope, R.I./University of Rhode Island), giving the United States a 1-0 advantage. Then, after a Team Russia goal knotted the score at 1-1, Ramey Weaver (Eagle River, Alaska/Robert Morris University) scored to give Team USA the lead for good. Cassie Catlow (Saundertown, R.I./University of Rhode Island) and Ellie Gleason(Edina, Minn./University of Minnesota) recorded assists on the play.

Molly Sparks (Eagan, Minn./University of Minnesota) added an unassisted goal in the middle frame to increase the U.S. lead to 3-1 after two periods.

The Russians closed the gap to 3-2 with a goal early in the final stanza, but Augustine capped the scoring with an assist from Hayley Williams (Crete, Ill./Robert Morris University).

Katie Vaughan (Pittsburgh, Pa./Penn State University) started in goal for the U.S. and made several tremendous saves, including a stop on a second-period penalty shot.

The U.S. Women’s National University Team is next schedule to play on Thursday (Dec. 12) when it squares off with Great Britain. Puck-drop is scheduled for 6:00 a.m. ET.

 

 

COURTESY: USAHOCKEY.com