USA Hockey held on for a 2-1 win over a tough Norway team. Team USA extended their 4 game winning streak and took sole possession of second place in Group B.
Conor Garland (Arizona Coyotes) got the scoring started when he scored a power play goal in the first period to give the Americans an early lead. Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres) extended the Americans lead in the second after finding a loose puck in front of the net. Norway was able to finally score on USA goaltender Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars) with 5 minutes left in the 3rd. The Americans were able to survive a late barrage of Norwegian chances to hang for the win. Oettinger was fantastic in net and made one of the best saves of the tournament in the second period.
Hello 911? I’d like to report a robbery ? #IIHFWorlds #NORUSA @usahockey @DallasStars pic.twitter.com/b2AcYRTvXu
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 29, 2021
Conor Garland
Garland has played great at these World Championships. After scoring today he now had 5 points in 5 games. He should have had another goal after he came flying in and tried to knock in a loose puck by diving at the net. The goal was not allowed but it was quite the effort.
Just Conor Garland sliding in to say hello ? #IIHFWorlds #NORUSA @usahockey pic.twitter.com/yTTmSjiVHS
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 29, 2021
I talked to Conor postgame and asked him about his swan dive.
Asked @ArizonaCoyotes @ConorGarland2 about his swan dive goal that was disallowed in today’s @usahockey win. Conor also scored usa’s first goal today #IIHFWorlds2021 #iihfworlds #MensWorlds #yotes @BellyUpSports @BellyUpPodcasts @Five4Howling @BizNasty2point0 @HowlinHockey pic.twitter.com/Hu7z7M7fgt
— Kyle Hall (@KHallNY) May 29, 2021
Colin Blackwell
Colin Blackwell was named the player of the game for the Americans, following his strong defensive game and helping kill off 5 penalties. Blackwell is coming off a career year for the Rangers. He went from an early season healthy scratch to playing on the second line and being one of their most consistent players. I talked to Colin after the game about the tournament and what it was like to be named an assistant captain on the team.
Talked with @NYRangers @CB__43 after being named player of the game in today’s @usahockey win. Asked Blackwell about being named an alternate captain for the team #nyr #IIHFWorlds2021 #iihfworlds #nhl #MensWorlds @BellyUpSports @4EverBlueshirts @NYRangerFanclub @BellyUpPodcasts pic.twitter.com/ruNsNiIDWe
— Kyle Hall (@KHallNY) May 29, 2021
Team USA Goaltending
Team USA has been spoiled with goalie play these World Championships. The duo of Jake Oettinger and Cal Petersen have combined to allow just 6 goals in 5 games. That is tied with Finland for the least goals allowed. The pairing is leading the tournament in save percentage combining for a spectacular 94.92% save rate. With both goalies playing so well and the knockout stage just two games away I asked USA Hockey head coach Jack Capuano if he will continue to rotate the two of if he will stick with just one guy.
Talked to @usahockey head coach Jack Capuano following today’s win and asked about the terrific goaltending the team has gotten from Oettinger and Petersen and if he would stick with just one for the knockout rounds #IIHFWorlds2021 #iihfworlds #MensWorlds #nhl @BellyUpSports pic.twitter.com/kkM3JXQ4zP
— Kyle Hall (@KHallNY) May 29, 2021
Upcoming for Team USA
Following todays games Team USA is just a point behind Finland in the Group B standings. Team USA has a big showdown coming up on Monday with Germany. Germany is just 3 points behind the Americans in the standings. A win for the USA would lock up a top 2 spot coming out of the group and into the knockout round. Finland has two tough opponents left in Latvia and Canada. The Americans have last place Italy in their last game. So a win against Germany could lead them to a top seed coming out of the group stage. Which would set them up nicely for the knockout round.
Be sure to bookmark our hockey page for hockey coverage and follow Belly Up Hockey on Twitter: @BellyUpHockey. Follow me on Twitter for more takes on the New York Rangers and USA Hockey: @KHallNY. You can also listen to my NY Rangers podcast The Broadway Hat Podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify for Rangers news and interviews with past and current players.
