With the preliminary round wrapping up yesterday, the U.S. Men's National Team had a practice today in advance of tomorrow's quarterfinal game against the Czech Republic. The winner of that game will advance to Saturday's (May 19) semifinal, where it will play the winner of the Sweden-Latvia quarterfinal.
SWEET 16 FOR U.S.-CZECH REPUBLIC
This is the 16th meeting between the United States and Czech Republic in IIHF Men's World Championship play, and fifth straight to occur in the playoff round.
Team USA is 5-2-1-6-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T) against the Czech Republic in tournament play. Of the 15 meetings, six have occurred in the playoff rounds, including the last four match-ups. Three of those games came in the quarterfinals while the other was the 2015 bronze medal game, which the U.S. won, 3-0.
Its most recent meeting occured in the 2016 quarterfinals, where Auston Matthews(Scottsdale, Ariz.) scored twice, including the shootout winner, and Keith Kinkaid(Farmingville, N.Y.) made 31 saves and turned aside all three Czech Republic shootout attempts to lead the U.S. to a 2-1 win. In addition to Kinkaid, returnees from that year's team include Dylan Larkin (Waterford, Mich.) and Connor Murphy (Dublin, Ohio).
'WIN AND ADVANCE' MENTALITY A FAMILIARITY
Unlike the Stanley Cup playoffs where each round is determined by a best-of-seven series, the playoff round in an IIHF World Championship is single-game elimination. Despite the difference, the U.S. will have no shortage of players who have succeeded with the 'win and advance' mindset.
Sixteen U.S. players have skated for a U.S. national team previously, combining to win 28 medals in IIHF world championship play. Among the medalists are 11 IIHF gold medalists, including four two-time gold medalists in Charlie McAvoy (2017 WJC, 2015 MU18), Connor Murphy (2013 WJC, 2011 MU18), Tage Thompson (2017 WJC, 2015 MU18) and Colin White (2017 WJC, 2015 MU18). Seven others to win an IIHF gold medal include Will Butcher (2012 MU18), Johnny Gaudreau(2013 WJC), Quinn Hughes (2017 MU18) Patrick Kane (2006 MU18), Chris Kreider(2010 WJC), Dylan Larkin (2014 MU18) and Sonny Milano (2014 MU18).
ROSTER SPOTLIGHT: FAMILIAR PLAYOFF ROUND FOE
Fourteen players and two coaches on Team USA have previous experience in facing the Czech Republic at the playoff stage of an IIHF competition. Of those meetings specifically, the U.S. has posted a record of 8-1-0-2 (W-OTW-OTL-L) in 11 meetings against the Czechs.
2018 World Juniors - USA 9, CZE 3 (Bronze Medal Game)
Quinn Hughes
2016 Men's Worlds - USA 2, CZE 1 (SO) (Quarterfinals)
Keith Kinkaid, Dylan Larkin, Connor Murphy
2016 World Juniors - USA 7, CZE 0 (Quarterfinals)
Alex DeBrincat, Charlie McAvoy, Sonny Milano, Colin White
2015 Men's Worlds - USA 3, CZE 0 (Bronze Medal Game)
Nick Bonino, Dylan Larkin, Anders Lee, Connor Murphy, Dan Byslma
2015 Men's U18's - USA 7, CZE 2 (Quarterfinals)
Charlie McAvoy, Tage Thompson, Colin White, Don Granato
2014 Men's Worlds - CZE 4, USA 3 (Quarterfinals)
Connor Murphy, Don Granato
2014 Olympics - USA 5, CZE 2 (Quarterfinals)
Patrick Kane, Dan Bylsma
2014 Men's U18's - USA 5, CZE 2 (Gold Medal Game)
Dylan Larkin, Sonny Milano
Larkin, Milano both scored; Milano was U.S. Player of Game
2013 World Juniors - USA 7, CZE 0 (Quarterfinals)
Johnny Gaudreau, Connor Murphy
Gaudreau scored hat trick; tabbed U.S. Player of Game
2011 Men's Worlds - CZE 4, USA 0 (Quarterfinals)
Chris Kreider
2006 Men's U18s - USA 4, CZE 3 (OT) (Semifinals)
Patrick Kane
Kane scored the game-winner 6:50 into overtime