The US Hockey Team swept their two games this weekend, winning each in a different fashion. Saturday, Team USA rallied to defeat Denmark 6-3 after a shaky first period. Sunday, the team controlled the game for all 60 minutes, defeating Germany 5-1. The US finished first in their preliminary group and secured the second overall seed. They will play the winner of Sweden-Latvia.
US-Denmark Highlights:
US-Germany Highlights:
A few thoughts:
1) Brackets, standings and start time for the quarterfinals: The US tied with Finland for second in total goals, scoring 16 times in the three games. Canada, whose offense has been humming, led all teams with 20 markers. By virtue of the 20 goals scored and just three allowed, Canada had a plus-17 goal difference while the US and Finland each had a plus-11 difference across the three contests. As a result, Canada is the first seed and the US the second.
2) Lineups: Jeremy Swayman started in net on Saturday. Let’s just say his performance left a little to be desired. Swayman allowed two soft goals, including one from center ice where he lost sight of the puck. Fortunately, Team USA’s offense bailed him out, posting three goals in the second period and two in the third to notch the win.
JT Miller, Brock Nelson and Jack Hughes were used as the third line while Kyle Connor, Dylan Larkin and Tage Thompson slid down to the fourth trio. From that line, only Larkin saw more than 10 minutes of ice time. Thompson actually saw fewer minutes than Vincent Trocheck, who is the 13th forward.
Sunday, Connor, Swayman and Jackson Lacombe did not dress for the US. Clayton Keller drew in for his first Olympics action, skating on the third line with Larkin and Thompson. Connor Hellebuyck was back in goal, with Jake Oettinger backing up in place of Swayman.
Auston Matthews, the team’s captain, had his best game of the tournament, notching a pair of goals and an assist. Tage Thompson lit the lamp again while Jake Sanderson added a goal and an assist. Brady and Matthew Tkachuk remain the physical center of this squad, stepping up their play and intensity when needed. In addition, Matthew Tkachuk will provide a verbal jab as well. as he did Sunday to Leon Draisaitl. (“always a bridesmaid, never a bride”)
The US was once again perfect on the penalty kill. An unsung component of the team’s 3-0 mark has been their 9-for-9 success rate while shorthanded. Miller and Trocheck have been the team’s primary forwards in those situations. For the tournament, Miller is one of four skaters who has yet to score while Trocheck has notched a pair of assists in the three games.
3) Moving Forward: With a few days before the quarterfinals, plenty of time exists to look forward to the single-elimination matchups. Sweden, presuming they beat Latvia, will be a very tough opponent. Their goaltending has not met expectations set before the tournament, but they have netminders who can steal games. In addition, offensively, Sweden has the firepower to rack up goals coupled with a solid blueline, making them a very dangerous opponent.
The US has another level or two they can still reach. You can view that as a good thing before the more important games begin. The flip side is that the team should have dominated their group and didn’t at all times. Irrespective of your opinion, the US is still the second seed.
