The tournament of surprises continues. Slovakia scored three second-period goals in the space of 3:19 for an unexpected 6-3 victory over the Americans in Wednesday’s only Group B game in Moncton. Problem: the US team will (must) make up for it tonight and it will be against… Switzerland!
“I think we played well”said the Slovakian goalkeeper Adam Gajanwho made 33 saves in his junior world debut. “It’s not like the USA were the better team. So I think the game was balanced. We just have to play like this and we can win against any team, I think.”
It must be said that not everything worked very well in the American team from the start of the tournament, winning a small 5-2 against Latvia early on. Thus the United States saw its power play play out for the first time on Wednesday. The Americans scored twice on the power play and once just after a Slovakian penalty expired. But that was cold comfort in light of their sloppy defensive play.
Tyler Boucher scored two goals and Gavin Brindley also marked for Americans. Cutter Gauthier added two assists.
The U.S. program has been going strong lately with three of its five junior world gold medals in the past decade (2013, 2017, 2021). But the US team will need to make a much better and more disciplined effort to return to the final this year after a disappointing fifth-place finish at the 2022 World Junior Championships.
“I think in the second half we got away from our game and conceded a few goals when we shouldn’t have”said the captain Luke Hughes. “I think we just need to stiffen up defensively and get back to our game. That’s what it cost us.»
The Swiss team is therefore warned: the United States will need revenge in this tournament, which for the moment hasn’t been the most brilliant. The start of the game will be crucial: if they manage to stay in touch, the players of Marco Bayer he can then draw inspiration from the Slovaks: let the storm pass… and question the Americans who hate being behind. To the point of forgetting its foundations.
