2015 WJC Archive:
The Truth About Jack Eichel
USA Announces Preliminary Roster
USA Injury Update
Questions Abound for Team USA as Selection Camp Begins
Team USA Selection Camp Video Podcast
Santini Learning Through Adversity
The Curious Case of Miles Wood
USA Defeats BU, 5-2; Reduces Roster to 27
USA Defeats Germany 5-2; Reduces Roster to 26
Eichel Named Captain of Team USA
Watch & listen to Mike Morreale from NHL.com and I blather about Team USA after the second day of on ice action at USA Hockey's National Junior Team Selection Camp in preparation of the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship.
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Team USA defeated Sweden last night, 10-5, in their final pre-tournament game before the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship starts on Friday, December 26th. Alex Tuch (BC, MIN) had a hat trick, Sonny Milano (Plymouth, CBJ) had five assists, Auston Matthews (NTDP, DE16) and Tyler Motte (Michigan, CHI) each had two goals, Nick Schmaltz (North Dakota, CHI) had a goal and two assists, Zach Werenski (Michigan, DE15) had three assists and eight other players had a point, none of them named Jack Eichel, who was named captain of the team earlier in the day.
Thatcher Demko (BC, VAN) was solid in net for the first 40 minutes facing 16 shots and allowing two goals in the first period. Brandon Halverson (SSM, NYR) faced nine shots in the third and allowed three.
Special teams played a part in the game as Team USA scored shorthanded (their third in three pre-tournament games) and twice on the power play.
After the game, USA Hockey settled on thier forwards as they sent Jeremy Bracco (NTDP, DE15) and Cole Cassels (Oshawa, VAN) home. Both were bubblicious, I'm not surprised by Cassels - not because he did anything particularly wrong, but just because other players had more of a consistent, positive impact - but I am surprised by Bracco. At 5'9, 170 pounds, he is crushing the competition with the NTDP and continued his stellar play this week during selection camp, but it seems as if USA was maxed out at either the small forward position, keeping Chase De Leo (Portland, WPG), Anthony Louis (Miami, CHI) and Motte, or with 17-year-olds on their roster with Matthews, Werenski and Noah Hanifin (BC, DE15) already solidifying their spot on the roster. The good news is that Bracco will most definitely be back.
USA Hockey still needs to make one more cut on defense and have the option to make another one between the pipes. Steve Santini (BC, NJD) had his cast and the pins removed from his wrist on Monday, but did not play in last night's exhibition. There's a very good chance that USA Hockey could fill only 19 skaters on their roster, bring eight defensemen to Montreal to give Santini more time and make a decision after the first game against Finland. They have an off day on Saturday before playing Germany on Sunday, which could potentially buy him an extra two days and give him an entire week to strengthen his wrist and be ready to play.
Should Santini be able to play, I think the final spot comes down to Brandon Carlo (Tri-City, DE15) and Ryan Collins (Minnesota, CBJ). USA did something similar in 2013 when they filled six spots on defense and brought Pat Sieloff and Matt Grzelcyk to Ufa before deciding after their first game they needed a BAMF defenseman more than an offensive, transitional guy. They won gold that year, so I'd say it worked out ok, but it will not be easy for whomever is sent home.
Team USA opens the tournament Friday, December 26th at 3ET against defending champions Finland. You can watch that game - and all of Team USA's games throughout the tournament - live on NHL Network.
For all the lastest news regarding Team USA and my struggles in packing for this two week excursion north of the border, be sure to follow me on Twitter.
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Julie
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