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U.S. downs Denmark 3-0 at hockey Worlds
// USA Hockey // May 7, 2006
RIGA, Latvia – Behind a shutout performance from netminder Craig Anderson (Park Ridge, Ill./Chicago Blackhawks), the U.S. Men’s National Team earned a 3-0 victory over Denmark today at Arena Skonto in the 70th annual International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship. Team USA improved to 2-0 in the event.
“We’re happy to get the win,” said U.S. Head Coach Mike Eaves (Madison, Wis.). “Like Friday, I thought we got stronger as the game wore on. We’re continuing to come together as a team and that’s important.”
After a scoreless first period, Team USA opened up a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes.
Defenseman Andrew Alberts (Minneapolis, Minn./Boston Bruins/Boston College) put the United States on the board just 33 seconds into the second stanza when he when he came out of the penalty box, went in alone and backhanded a shot past Denmark netminder Peter Hirsch. Dustin Brown (Ithaca, N.Y./L.A. Kings), who scored three times in Team USA’s 3-1 win over Norway on Friday (May 5), was credited with the lone assist on the play. Yan Stastny (Quebec City, Quebec/Providence Bruins/University of Notre Dame) made it 2-0 at 6:32 when he put home the rebound of a Ryan Suter (Madison, Wis./Nashville Predators/University of Wisconsin) shot from the point while on his knees in the circle to the left of Hirsch. Ryan Kesler (Livonia, Mich./Vancouver Canucks/The Ohio State University) also drew an assist on the play.
Captain Richard Park (Seoul, South Korea/Vancouver Canucks) finished the scoring at 12:52 of the third period. Andy Hilbert (Lansing, Mich./Pittsburgh Penguins/University of Michigan) started the play by intercepting a Denmark clearing attempt. He quickly fed Park who fired a one-timer home from the low right circle.
Anderson improved to 2-0 in the World Championship with 19 saves in the U.S. net, while Hirsch had 31 stops for Denmark.
Team USA’s next action comes Tuesday (May 9) when it takes on Canada in the final preliminary-round game for both teams. Opening faceoff is set for 1:15 p.m. EDT and the game can be heard live on usahockey.com.
NOTES: Team USA killed off all six Denmark power-play attempts and has allowed its first two opponents just one power-play goal in 15 chances … The United States allowed Denmark just one shot on goal in four straight minutes of power-play time early in the third period … Hilbert and Park each had five shots on goal in the contest to lead Team USA.
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