GDT: Group C • April 30 • United States 5, Austria 1

[William H Bonney]

Now that was a weak goal.

But it counts nonetheless. Both college kids score!

 

[cska78]

screen again?)))

 

[Levitate]

Nice shot

 

[William H Bonney]

Jack Skille, where scoring chances go to die this game. That's been the story of this guy's career since leaving college. Poor guy.

EDIT: That was a good defensive play though or Skille would have buried that.

 

[FultonReed]

Good rush by Palmieri to draw the PP.

Lets get a goal here. We're going to need our PP clicking.



No but Miele and Gardiner aren't registered and can't play in the first 3 games.

oh alright. that's why i was asking because i knew Miele was on the team... thank you

 

[William H Bonney]

Very nice win.

Other then the expected sloppy start, I thought we played pretty well. We had a bit of a rough stretch there in the 2nd when we took 3 straight penalties and gave up a lot of offensive zone time but other then the goal against we didn't give up much, if anything, during that stretch.

Top 2 lines had good chemistry and for a team that's expected to struggle to score we could have easily had 6-7 goals today so that's a good start. Should carry some confidence going forward.

Keep it going against Norway. Anything can happen.

 

[Cutty Sarkn3ss*]

Wish I coulda watched more of this game . . . loved hearing that party in the stands.

 

[William H Bonney]

It's funny hearing how much the announcers are praising Kreider and Smith because they're collegians. Really helps put that 1980 team and what they accomplished in perspective, huh?

 

[IslesRock4]

How did Montoya look? I see he only made 12 saves, but still.

 

[William H Bonney]

How did Montoya look? I see he only made 12 saves, but still.

He looked fine but as you say it's tough to judge in such limited action. The goal against was probably the best chance he faced, an uncovered one timer from the slot in between the hash marks. He was fighting the puck a bit to start due to nerves but all things considered I thought he played well. Even though he only made 12 saves, a few of them were good saves. It's tough to go long periods of time without seeing anything and then see a quality chance and he was up to the task for those.

Scott Gordon says he doesn't have a goalie plan yet other than Montoya getting today's game. It'll be interesting to see what they do. USA Hockey initially said Conklin was starting today. I'd think Conklin will get the Norway game on Monday and then they'll make a decision on their #1 for the Sweden game and going forward. I'd bet on it being Al.

 

[William H Bonney]

Chris Kreider and Rafael Rotter were voted as the best players for each team.

Jack Johnson led Team USA with 23:27 in TOI and Ryan McDonagh was second for d-men with 19:20. Derek Stepan and Blake Wheeler were the top 2 forwards with 20:21 and 20:02 respectively.

See more of the box score here: http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/261/IHM261C06_74_3_0.pdf

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Good win to start the tournament. Like most U.S. national teams of late, the emphasis on skating pays dividends. The defense can really move (and shoot) the puck which helps make up for a more pedestrian offense. That being said, a ton of chances and the hope is we get a bit more finish as the tourney moves on.

 

[AmericanDream]

much better start then last year without question..

a team like this might surprise a lot of teams because of how mobile that blueline is and if Montoya continues to play the way he can, we have an outside shot at doing something positive here.

cant wait for Gaustad to get here as he is a lock for top 6 center; wouldnt mind seeing a line of Kreider- Gaustad- Palmieri as a really tough energy line that would crash the net and play physical.

we have a lot of quick/energy forwards that could be a real pain to keep up with on the big ice. though I have no dillusions of grandeur here with winning a medal, I think this team can turn some things around and bring respectability back to the US in this tournament.

I hope Wheeler and Stepan are ready for the weight of the offense because it is only going to get harder from here on out. didnt mind seeing Craig Smith on the top line, that might change with Gaustad coming here tomorrow, but the kid didnt look out of place. Would rather have Ben Smith of the Blackhawks, but thats another story completely.

nice win for the guys, hope they stay positive and keep up some momentum against Norway....

cant wait to watch Monday.... go get em boys!

 

[Theokritos]

don`t forget we BELONG in this division

Judging by this game, Austria belongs in Division II. Slovenia > Austria.

 

[luki here]

Judging by this game, Austria belongs in Division II. Slovenia > Austria.

france>austria?...austria came back up last 5 times, they are obviously too strong for division II. Apparently too weak for division I as well...

This team is also especially weak. 5, 6 key players are missing. Of course all countries have that problem...but such a bad goalie is a real problem for a hockey dwarf like austria!

 

[Theokritos]

france>austria!

Fixed.

 

[luki here]

Fixed.

where are you from and who are you rooting for?

 

[Theokritos]

where are you from and who are you rooting for?

Compatriot here. But I'm not rooting for anyone or against anyone.

 

[PanniniClaus]

Unterlaugger's fly-by through the shooting lane on shattenkirk's goal made penker look bad but it's not his fault. He was hung out to dry on a couple of goals. He does not inspire much confidence but the Austrian's were pretty poor in this game.

 

[Oroku Saki*]

Exactly what I'm thinking...

USA's top 4 defence is solid with Komisarek, Fowler, Shattenkirk and Johnson, but their forwards and especially goalies are horrible. I know that Miele won the Hobey Baker award, but you cannot have many of those college players. Craig Smith? What has he done to earn his spot? Only Wheeler and Stepan could be considered as actually good players.

Then, the goalies... 35-year-old career backup and unproven, 26-year-old bust. Austria could actually top that if they would have Divis or Brückler.

I'm waiting for a big upset today. 3-1 or 2-1 for Austria. Vanek and Setzinger will be on fire.

Big upset you predicted.

Palmieri, Fayne, Shattenkirk, Johnson etc are good players. Stop hating. In International Competition any guy who plays in the NHL I consider "good". They play for a living.

 

[usahockey22flyers]

Great game US, regardless of the talent, this team works there ass off, i see a few more W's coming there way!!

 

[KingLB]

Game replaying on VS fyi.

 

[adsfan]

Game replaying on VS fyi.

I am watching. The announcers were talking about Penker letting in a lot of goals against the US in the past.

 

[Harv]

Yan Å ťastný

So glad to see him get one today.

 

[driller1]

LOL- watching the replay--they're playing "Living on A Prayer" after Shattenkirk's goal...

Pretty soft goal, although I think the goalie had a flyby screen distract him.