BRATISLAVA, Slovakia— The U.S. National Inline Team overcame a 3-1 deficit and earned a 5-4 victory over the Czech Republic here tonight in semifinal action at the 2017 International Ice Hockey Federation Inline World Championship.
With the victory, Team USA (5-0-0-0; W-OTW-OTL-L) advances to tomorrow’s (July 1) gold-medal game at 2 p.m. ET against Finland. A live stream of that contest will be available here.
“It's exciting to be back in the gold medal game especially coming back down 3-1 to an excellent Czech Republic team,” said Joe Cook, head coach of the 2017 U.S. National Inline Team. “It was a real huge character win.”
Shane Fox (Sicklerville, N.J.) opened the scoring for Team USA 2:46 into the first period when he skated down the right wing, cut to the center and fired one home from between the circles. The Czech Republic tied the game with 3:37 left in the frame and took the lead just more than two minutes later to gain a 2-1 advantage after the first period.
The Czechs converted again with 4:45 remaining in the second stanza and led 3-1 entering the third period.
With 4:27 remaining in the third frame, Tyler Spezia (Clinton Township, Mich.) got the U.S. back to within a goal, and 30 seconds later, Derrick Burnett (Corona, Calif.) put home a pass from Matt White (Whittier, Calif.) to even the score. The Czech Republic re-took the lead with 2:42 remaining in the third stanza and maintained a 4-3 advantage headed into the fourth and final period.
Just 36 seconds into the final frame, Jack Combs (St. Louis, Mo.) found the back of the net to tie the score at 4-4 and then with 5:05 left, John Schiavo (East Patchogue, N.Y.) scored what proved to the be game-winner as he converted a feed from Billy Pascalli (Deer Park, N.Y.).
Troy Redmann (Brea, Calif.) stopped 13 shots to earn his third victory of the competition in goal for the U.S.
NOTES: For complete game stats, click here … The U.S. has medaled in all but five of the 19 IIHF Inline World Championships previously staged, including six gold medals (1996, 1997, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2013), four silver medals (1998, 2001, 2009, 2011) and four bronze medals (2000, 2003, 2005, 2014). There was no tournament held in 1999 or 2016.
Date | Opponent | TIme (Local/ET)/Result | Location | Live Stream |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sun., June 25 | Slovakia | W, 8-1 | Ondrej Nepala Arena | IIHF |
Mon., June 26 | Canada | W, 8-2 | Ondrej Nepala Arena | IIHF |
Tues., June 27 | Croatia | W, 8-2 | Ondrej Nepala Arena | IIHF |
Thurs., June 29 | Germany Quarterfinals |
W, 4-1 | Ondrej Nepala Arena | IIHF |
Fri., June 30 | Czech Republic Semifinals |
W, 5-4 | Ondrej Nepala Arena | IIHF |
Sat., July 1 | Finland Gold-Medal Game |
W, 4-2 | Ondrej Nepala Arena | IIHF |
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