|
USA Cuts Three After Pre-Tournament Game |
|
|
|
|
|
Just a little bit more of an update for you as USA Hockey cut three this morning before getting on a plane for Sweden. JT Compher broke his foot, will be out 3-4 weeks and was subsequently sent home. It's a bummer because it's likely that he would have made this team, but he's only 18 and has a chance to participate next year in Toronto/Montreal. Ryan Fitzgerald and Anthony DeAngelo were also sent home this morning. For Fitzgerald, this was his last shot, but DeAngelo is eligible to earn a spot on next year's team.
As far as why they got cut, I don't have an official answer for you but I can speculate that they're not defensive minded enough. Head coach Don Lucia has said numerous times that you need to be able to contribute 5-on-5 and fill a role on either the power play or the penalty kill and it's not that these guys can't....it's just that other players fill those roles better on this particular team.
With each post-practice interview, it becomes more apparent that this is going to be a versatile team with a strong focus on shutting down the opposition. They will be fast. They will be physical. They will be skilled and, more than anything, they will be tough to play against. On paper this team is not as skilled as last year's championship team, but they are certainly talented enough to repeat as champions.
Last night's pre-tournament game against Minnesota State needed overtime, but Hudson Fasching pulled off a sweet move to get around the defenseman and gave Team USA the 3-2 win. The story of the game was special teams as the two goals they allowed were on the power play. Just like I have serious concerns about special teams in Lake Placid, I also always have serious concerns about it during this pre-tournament camp.....with. out. fail. But they always seem to figure it out come Boxing Day and I'm sure this year's edition will be no different. We'll find out more on Friday when they take on Sweden and yet again on Sunday when they take on Finland before making their final three cuts.
Once again, if there's anything special you'd like to see/hear/read about during this tournament, let me know and I'll do my best to make it happen!
Julie
[email protected]
Facebook
Join the Discussion:
»