USA Hockey shut out Germany 2-0 for their fifth straight win at the IIHF World Championships. The win also clinched a berth in the knockout stage for Team USA. Here is what USA Hockey Head Coach Jack Capuano had to say post game about todays performance.
Spoke with @usahockey head coach Jack Capuano following todays win which locked up a berth to the @2021iihfworlds knockout stage #IIHFWorlds #IIHFWorlds2021 #MensWorlds #usa #nhl pic.twitter.com/NwZBDmAFET
— Kyle Hall (@KHallNY) May 31, 2021
After almost 39 minutes of scoreless hockey USA forward Jason Robertson (Dallas Stars) scored on the power play to put the Americans in the lead. It was Robertson’s 3rd goal of the tournament and his 6 point, which is tied for the team lead. The Americans added an empty net goal scored by New York Rangers forward Colin Blackwell. It was Blackwell’s first goal of the tournament.
Cal Petersen
The star of the game for the US was goaltender Cal Petersen (LA Kings). Petersen stopped all 33 shots he faced including 16 in the third period. Cal has been fantastic for Team USA all tournament long. In his 4 starts he is 3-1 with a sparkling 1.01 GAA and a 95.96 save percentage. I talked to Cal postgame and asked him about that third period and the pressure Germany put on the Americans late.
Talked to @LAKings goalie @CalPetersen40 after todays @usahockey win where he stopped all 33 shots for his second shutout of the tournament. He has been fantastic for #teamusa & in 4 games has a 1.01 GAA #IIHFWorlds #IIHFWorlds2021 #MensWorlds #gokingsgo @NDHockey @lakingsinsider pic.twitter.com/iUSBnfCsdY
— Kyle Hall (@KHallNY) May 31, 2021
Upcoming for Team USA
USA Hockey has just one game left in the preliminary round. A match up with last place Italy. The Italians have struggled with keeping teams off the scoreboard. In their 6 games they have allowed a tournament high 37 goals, while only scoring 9. Today’s win locked up a berth in the knockout rounds for the Americans and they are currently tied for first place in Group B with 15 points. Finland who beat Team USA in their opener also has 15 points and owns the tiebreaker. Finland plays Team Canada in their final game. The Canadians have won 3 in a row but are playing for their tournament lives. With the US being heavy favorites to beat Italy in regulation any result for Finland other than a regulation win would push the Americans into the top spot.
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.
