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Second day, second loss. The U.S. players definitely had higher ambitions than end up outside the semi-finals. Suddenly, the opposite is a reality. Derek Plante’s players didn’t play a bad game, but it wasn’t enough to beat the Russians. The American players were very disappointed, but they want to find motivation to play their best in the rest of the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup.
US Team suffered the second loss and after the final result of the evening match it’s obvious that the semifinals will be without the last year bronze medalists. Teams of Russia and Finland will go on after the group stage. Americans will surely go back home with empty hands.
The important game against Russia had quite unhappy process. US played balanced game until the Russians scored two goals just 20 second left in the second period. It was a hard direct for US Team. “First one, the puck hit a skate of one of us, it was bad pass for us and we couldn’t do much we it. The second one was also deflected, so it wasn’t easy for us,” US defender Samuel Rossini said.
US Team even overshot the opponent 39:22, but scored just two goals. Where was the biggest problem? “Russian goaltender played really well and we also missed the net couple times. That’s what happens sometimes,” Rossini explained.
“I think we definitely played a solid game, but we didn’t get the bounces we wanted. The two goals in the end of the second period put us down. But we were still keeping battling,” added Kailer Yamamoto, the second goal scorer.
The power-play games are the other big thing to think about for Derek Plante and his guys. Americans had a many power-play opportunities, but score just one goal from its. “I think we just got to shot more. We have great preparation, but we can’t score without a shot,” Yamamoto thought.
One of the US players may was a little bit happier than the others. It was Casey Mittelstadt, who was the best US player of the game. But it was just a weak plaster for one of two Americans scorers. “Obviously it’s honor to be awarded as the best player of your team, but I would change it for a win of our team. I think we are a good team, but we aren’t able to score from changes that we create.”
Shortly after the game the Americans still could hope for the semifinals. But they definitely surmised that the Finland will be really hard thing for host team and the semifinals will be without them this year. Question is, how difficult will it be to find a motivation for the rest of the tournament?
“We have to play for each other. It’s a big honor to wear this jersey. Just come out, play hard and try to get a win,” Mittelstadt said. “We will come to the game to show our best again. We have to play still the same game and it doesn’t matter if we play semifinals or not,” defenseman Rossini confirmed.