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GAMEDAY: U.S. To Face Slovakia in Deutschland Cup Opener

By USAHockey.com, 11/10/17, 4:00AM EST

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U.S., Germany, Slovakia, Russia In Four-Team Field

AUGSBURG, Germany – The U.S. Men’s National Select Team will face Slovakia here today in the opening game of the 2017 Deutschland Cup. Opening faceoff at Curt Frenzel Stadium is set for 4:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m. ET).

The game can be seen live by clicking here.

“We’re excited to play,” said Tony Granato, head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Select Team and also head coach of the 2018 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team. “We had two real good days of practice and look forward to seeing how we stack up against Slovakia today.”

The four-team Deutschland Cup tournament, which along with the U.S. and Slovakia includes host Germany and Russia, runs through Sunday. The tournament uses a round-robin format and the team with the most points is declared the tournament champion.

Team USA’s roster includes 28 players, 20 of which have played in the NHL at one point in their career.

Ryan Zapolski will start in goal today. In 24 games played with Jokerit of the KHL this season, he is 18-5-1 with a 1.42 goals against average and .945 save percentage.

The U.S. has participated in the Deutschland Cup nine previous times, including in 2002, 2003, 2004 and every odd year starting in 2005.

NOTES: Players and staff arrived Tuesday (Nov. 7) and Wednesday morning (Nov. 8) in advance of Team USA’s opening 90-minute practice here on Wednesday afternoon. The group also had a 90-minute skate on Thursday morning … A total of 22 players will dress for each game, including two goaltenders. Sean Backman, Drew Shore, Chad Kolarik, Tom Gilbert, Mark Stuart and Brandon Maxwell will not dress in today’s opening game vs. Slovakia … Brian Gionta is the captain of the U.S. Men's National Select Team. The alternate captains will rotate by game with Ryan Malone and Jim Slater serving as alternate captains for today's game vs. Slovakia ... The U.S. Olympic coaching staff, led by Tony Granato, is also guiding the 2017 U.S. Men’s National Select Team at the Deutschland Cup. Granato served as assistant coach for the U.S. team that played in the 2004 Deutschland Cup. Assistant coaches are Chris Chelios, Scott Young, Keith Allain and Ron Rolston … The U.S. enjoyed an authentic German meal at Ratskeller restaurant last night … The U.S. has won the Deutschland Cup on three occasions (2003, 2004, 2013), finished second four times (2002, 2007, 2009, 2015) and fourth once (2005, 2011) ... The Deutschland Cup is part of USA Hockey’s player evaluation process in selecting its 2018 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team.

2017 U.S. Men’s National Select Team
NHL Experience (listed by games played)

Brian Gionta             1006GP, 289-299—588
Tom Gilbert               655GP, 45-178—223
Mark Stuart               673GP, 26-67—93
Ryan Malone            647GP, 179-191—370
Jim Slater                 584GP, 67-71—138
Matt Gilroy                225GP, 11-37—48
Mark Arcobello         139GP, 24-29—53
Jonathon Blum         110GP, 7-17—24
Drew Shore               94GP, 9-17—26
Dan Sexton               88GP, 13-19—32
Dylan Reese             78GP, 3-14—17
Noah Welch              75GP, 4-5—9
Matt Donovan           67GP, 2-17—19
Robbie Earl               47GP, 6-1—7
Bobby Sanguinetti    45GP, 2-4—6
Ryan Stoa                 40GP, 4-3—7
Brian O’Neill              22GP, 0-2--2
Andy Miele                15GP, 0-2—2
Chad Billins                10GP, 0-3—3
Chad Kolarik               6GP, 0-1--1
 

U.S. Homepage

U.S. Roster


U.S. Schedule

Date Opponent Time (Local/ET)/Result Location Live Stream
Friday, Nov. 10 Slovakia 4 p.m./10 a.m. Curt Frenzel Stadium
Augsburg, Germany
Live Stream
Saturday, Nov. 11 Russia 7:30 p.m./1:30 p.m. Curt Frenzel Stadium
Augsburg, Germany
Live Stream
Sunday, Nov. 12 Germany 4:45 p.m./10:45 a.m. Curt Frenzel Stadium
Augsburg, Germany
Live Stream

2017 Deutschland Cup News