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
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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USA defeated Germany 5-2 last night in pre-tournament competition in Kingston, Ontario in advance of the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship with goals by JT Compher (Michigan, BUF), Tyler Motte (Michigan, CHI), Miles Wood (Nobles, NJD), Zach Werenski (Michigan, DE15) and Anthony Louis (Miami, CHI).
USA put up 49 shots on goal and only allowed 22 keeping within their game plan of putting up 40+ and allowing 20. They will face a more difficult test tomorrow when they go up against Sweden.
Thatcher Demko (BC, VAN) started in net with Alex Nedeljkovic (Plymouth, CAR) taking over halfway through the game. Brandon Halverson (SSM, NYR) had the night off. I would be surprised if Nedeljkovic didn't get the start in Tuesday's game against Sweden. He's played the final 30 minutes of each game so far and has allowed all four goals against for Team USA. Hard to say if they were entirely his fault or a result of USA's defense taking their foot of the gas with the game pretty much in hand. Either way, a point of concern for head coach Mark Osiecki and his staff.
Also a point of concern, staying disciplined - only two penalties taken against BU, but five against Germany. On the flip side, they've only have three opportunities, but they still have no power play goals and very little offensive production with the man advantage.
USA Hockey released defenseman Michael Downing (Michigan, FLA) and thier roster now stands at 26. They still have two more forwards, one more defenseman and possibly one goaltender to go before they reach their final roster.
I think the final two spots up front are between Wood, Jeremy Bracco (NTDP, DE15), Cole Cassels (Oshawa, VAN) and Chase DeLeo (Portland, WPG). Wood has been an impact player in both games thus far and I think he's earned a spot on this team. Bracco had a great game last night. De Leo had a great game against BU and Cassels has been just ok in both.
On the backend, Steve Santini (BC, NJD) gets his cast and the pins in his wrist removed today. Barring any complications, he'll be in the line up against Sweden tomorrow and if he says he's ready to go, I believe the battle on the blueline comes down to Ryan Collins (Minnsota, CBJ) and Brandon Carlo (Tri-City, DE15).
Tough decisions up ahead for the powers that be at USA Hockey.
You can watch tomorrow's game against Sweden on FastHockey.com ($) at 7ET.
For the latest updates, follow my twitter feed!
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Julie
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