Team USA faced elimination from the medal qualifying games at the World Junior Championship this morning after dropping 2-1 decisions against both the Russia and Canada U20 teams. They needed to beat Slovakia to advance.
If there were any nerves entering the game, you wouldn’t know it by the score- USA dominated Slovakia to the tune of 9-3.
USA will now play the Czech Republic on Wednesday (4 a.m. Eastern, naturally) in the quarterfinals.
Philadelphia Flyers prospect Shayne Gostisbehere may not be in the line-up, though, pending further discipline after receiving a five minute major penalty and a game misconduct in the first period.
The play in question can be viewed here. Gostisbehere isn’t known to be a dirty player, tallying just 30 penalty minutes in 56 games with the Union College Dutchmen, but his decision to take out his aggression on the groin of Matus Matis (editor’s note- fantastic name) was an obvious penalty.
Per Rob Simpson via twitter,
“Talked to Gostisbehere [about] his retaliatory ‘slashing’ infraction that got him tossed: ‘It was stupid.’ Gostisbehere was slew footed- he snapped- chased player from behind and with his stick, jammed it in an ‘uncomfortable area’. “
Hopefully he will still be eligible for Wednesday’s game. At least he’s showing that he’s capable of playing with a mean streak when he wants to.
For the latest Flyers news and updates, you can follow me on twitter (@JoshJanet).
it was dirty but nothing compaired to Shea Weber taking Zetterberg’s head and slamming into the glass ( which had no suspension)
another goal fest today
bring on Canada in the Semi