The United States needed a huge game in their bout against Slovakia and that is exactly what they got.
After being stifled in two straight games against Canada and Russia, the Americans exploded for nine goals against the Slovakians in a match they needed to win to secure a spot in the knockout stage.
Cole Bardreau scored at 4:05 of the first to put the United States up 1-0. Slovakia tied it just 14 seconds later but a goal from John McCabe a minute later restored the American's lead. The United States got three more goals in the first from John Gaudreau, Mike Rielly, and Jacob Trouba to take a 5-2 lead into the locker room after 20 minutes. Gaudreau and Vince Trochek added three goals in the second to extend the lead to 8-2 for the Americans and Alex Galchenyuk added another goal in the third to end the score at 9-3.
Now the United States takes on a surprising Czech Republic team that won second place in Group A. The Czech team lost to Sweden in the opening match, but were able to defeat Finland, Latvia, and Switzerland and land second place in the group. In their final match, the Czechs got an early goal from Matej Beran to take a 1-0 lead. The Swiss tied it before the end of the first, but two Czech goals in the second from Michal Svihalek and Tomas Hyka established a solid 3-1 lead for the Czechs heading into the third. Switzerland, which had a penchant for blowing leads throughout the tournament, finally overcame one with two third period goals. However NHL prospect Tomas Hertl scored an overtime goal to secure two points for the Czechs and a quarter finals date with the United States.
The United States have been superior in almost all statistical categories over the Czechs. They have scored 17 goals to the Czechs 12 and they have only allowed seven to the Czech's 10. The American's leading point scoreer is Alex Galchenyuk who has seven points in four matches while Dmitrij Jaskin of the Czech Republic has five points. The goalkeepers are relatively even. American John Gibson has a 1.93 Goal Against Average (GAA) with a 93.64 save percentage (SV) while Czech keeper Patrik Bartosak has a 1.98 GAA and a 92.41 SV Percentage.
Prediction: The Americans traversed a far more difficult group and essentially shut down the Russians and Canadians by only allowing four goals in those two matches. Their offense is more than up to the task. The Czechs did play well in their group, but hardly had the challenges of the Americans. 5-3 United States.
Start Time: 4 AM EST
TV: TSN
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