2023 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup: Team USA Falls 7-2 Against Czechia In Preliminary Round
Trevor Connelly collected two primary assists in Team USA's loss to Czechia
Břeclav, Czechia - Trevor Connelly collected two primary assists, but Team USA dropped Monday’s Preliminary Round matchup against Czechia, 7-2.
Czechia opened the scoring just over halfway through the first period on a beautiful give-and-go play between Adam Benak and Adam Titlbach, with the latter sniping it past USA netminder Caleb Heil.
Later in the frame, Czechia nearly made it a 2-0 lead as Simon Pohludka was sprung on the partial breakaway, but Heil made a fantastic save to keep it a one-goal game.
Team USA tied the game with eight minutes left in the second period in the waning seconds of their power play. Connelly carried the puck to the top of the slot and found Will Zellers on the backdoor for the tap-in goal.
Czechia responded with two quick goals on the power play, converting just seconds into their 5v3 advantage. After a shot and some chaos in front of the USA net, Matej Kubiesa cleaned up the mess from the left side of the cage to make it a 2-1 lead for Czechia.
One minute later, Ondrej Kos doubled Czechia’s lead after a great feed from Petr Sikora on a play that started down in the corner.
Before the second period horn, Team USA pulled within a goal after Eero Butella buried his shot from the low slot.
Defenseman Will Felicio did a tremendous job holding the zone, finding Mac Swanson on the right side to Connelly on the left to Butella in front. Great play all around.
The third period was all Czechia, who scored four unanswered goals to close out regulation.
Less than two minutes in, Czechia regained their two-goal lead after a 2-on-1 rush led to a terrific pass from Titlbach to Samuel Drancak, with the latter beating Heil.
Three minutes later, Titlbach kept the puck himself on a 2-on-1 chance, sniping it past Heil to make it 5-2.
Callum Hughes was injured after taking a hit into the boards that popped his helmet off. He remained down on the ice behind the Czechia net and needed to be helped off the ice by the team trainer and a USA player.
Czechia added to their lead with just under eight minutes left to play on the man advantage. Forward Adam Benak walked the puck down to the right side and found Sikora, who established position in front and buried his shot. Really nice play by both.
Thatcher Bernstein came on in relief but made a blunder late in regulation trying to make a play on the puck. The USA netminder was caught too far out of the crease, and Tory Pitner did his best to keep it out, but Czechia made it a five-goal lead.
Team USA will look to bounce back on Tuesday against Sweden, with puck drop set for 8:30 am CT.