NEWS

(Sep. 7, 2004) - U.S.A. 5  Russia 3 - While Brett Hull was sulking on a golf course somewhere, Keith Tkachuk scored four goals and assisted on a fifth as the United States beat Russia 5-3 in a World Cup of Hockey quarter-final elimination game.  Goals by Tkachuk and Scott Gomez within 22 seconds early in the third period broke a 2-2 tie and a Russian power-play goal by Ilya Kovachuk with nine minutes left set up a nailbiter of a finish but the Americans held on to win in front of an announced Xcel Energy Center crowd of 17,218.

(Sep. 4, 2004) - With Canada winning top spot in the North American pool, the U.S.A. will be all but guaranteed a home quarterfinals game against Russia, unless Slovakia can score seven or more goals against the Russians in their final round robin game.  Even with this in mind, the Slovaks would have to either shutout or keep the Russians to one goal.  If this happens, then the Americans will have to travel to Toronto to play Team Canada, otherwise they will play Russia in St. Paul, which appears the most likely scenario.

(Sep. 3, 2004) - U.S.A. 3  Slovakia 1 - The defending World Cup Champions finally started to play like it, scoring twice in the first and getting the game winner late in the third.  Rick Di Pietro played instead of Robert Esche, and no less than five new faces cracked the lineup as the Americans beat Slovakia 3-1.  Jason Blake scored the winning goal and Bill Guerin gave the U.S. some insurance.  The Slovaks are now in the same position the Americans were just 24 hours ago, now with an 0-2 record.  The U.S. will now wait and see how the rest of the round robin goes to see who they will face in the quarterfinals, not to mention where.

(Sep. 2, 2004) - Russia 3  U.S.A. 1 - Even playing to a capacity crowd at the Xcel Energy Centre in St. Paul, Minnesota couldn't inspire the Americans as Russia cruised to a 3-1 win, started off with a fluke goal that deflected off of Chris Chelios.  Robert Esche kept the U.S. in the game, but Alex Kovalev broke a 1-1 tie in the third period with a highlight reel goal, and the Russians never looked back.

(Aug. 31, 2004) - Canada 2  U.S.A. 1 - Special teams were the story du jour as Team Canada kicked off their round robin versus Team U.S.A. in Montreal.  Martin St. Louis got the first goal for Canada in the 1st period, and assisted on Joe Sakic's goal in the 2nd.  Bill Guerin made it close with a goal of his own.  Canada scored both goals on the power play, while the Americans continued to shoot blanks with the man advantage (they haven't scored a power play goal in four games, including exhibition).  Shots were 32-24 in favor of the Canucks.  Ed Jovanovski of Canada and Mike Modano of the U.S. both left this game with "lower body injuries".

(Aug. 27, 2004) - The U.S. team appears ready for the World Cup of Hockey.  John-Michael Liles and Brett Hull scored and goaltenders Robert Esche and Rick DiPietro were perfect in a 2-0 exhibition win over Russia on Friday night.  "I'm pleased with where we are but we have a lot of room for improvement," U.S. coach Ron Wilson said after his team's final tuneup.  The U.S. opens the tournament against Canada in Montreal on Tuesday. The Russians play their first game against the U.S. in St. Paul, Minn., on Thursday.

(Aug. 26, 2004) - USA Hockey today announced that defenseman John-Michael Liles will replace Hal Gill on Team USA's roster for the World Cup of Hockey 2004. Gill, who was named to the team on August 11 to replace Mathieu Schneider, will be unable to participate after sustaining a broken foot in last night's 3-1 exhibition game loss to Canada in Ottawa, Ontario. Gill is a seven-year NHL veteran, having spent all of his career with the Boston Bruins.

(Aug. 25, 2004) - Team Canada get revenge at the Corel Centre in Kanata.  USA defeated Canada 3-1 in both teams' opening exhibition game.  Canada returned the favour.  After a scoreless first period, Vincent Lecavalier used Mario Lemieux as a decoy and put it past Ty Conklin - 1-0 Canada.  Minutes later, Joe Sakic scored to make it 2-0 for Canada.  Towards the end of the second, Jarome Iginla set up Mario Lemieux for some insurance on the power play - 3-0 Canada.  Chris Drury would break Canada's shutout bid in the 3rd period, but it wasn't enough, as Canada went on to win 3-1.  Robert Esche played very well in the first period, yet Ron Wilson pulled him for Conklin in the second.

(Aug. 25, 2004) - New Jersey Devils defenseman Paul Martin has been named to Team USA's roster for the 2004 World Cup of Hockey after Calgary Flames defenseman Jordan Leopold was forced out of the tournament by injury.  Leopold, who scored a goal in Team USA's 3-1 exhibition game victory on Monday versus Canada, will be unable to participate after sustaining a concussion in the third period of the contest.

(Aug. 23, 2004) - Team USA get first blood.  USA defeated Canada 3-1 in both teams' opening exhibition game.  Canada opened the scoring on a Power-Play goal by Dany Heatley on American goaltender Ty Conklin.  Brodeur stopped all 18 shots he faced and gave way to Roberto Luongo midway in the second period.  Luongo gave up a goal to USA's Bill Guerin on the first shot he faced.  Brian Rolston would give the USA its first lead with less than a minute to go in the second.  Leopold would ice the game away with a goal at 13:03 in the third.  After the goaltending change, the Canadians were on their heels, outshot 26-11 in the final 2 periods.  Team Canada was without Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux, 2004 Conn Smythe winner Brad Richards and Hart trophy winner Martin St-Louis who did not dress for the game.

(Aug. 20, 2004) - Much like the Canadian team, no starting goaltender has been named yet.  While Canada can count on experienced goaltenders in Martin Brodeur Roberto Luongo and José Théodore, the American goaltenders are unproven.  Mike Richter (1996 World Cup MVP) is now gone and will be replaced by Ty Conklin, Rick DiPietro or Robert Esche, all NHL-calibre goaltenders.  "I'm excited to see these goalies up close," head coach Ron Wilson said. "I've observed them and coached against them. We believe we have an open situation and we will allow the training camp and exhibition games to determine who starts our first game when the tournament starts on Aug. 31, for us. Of all the positions, goaltending is the most open and I like it that way. It will allow all the goalies an opportunity to show us how good they are. They'll all be focused in practice and come to an understanding that if they're playing well, they can expect to get a start in the games. They'll get lots of opportunities in the exhibition games to show us what they can do."  Team USA's success will be determined by their goaltending.

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