KOSICE, Slovakia – Skating for Team USA less than 60 hours and a transcontinental flight through six time zones since his Philadelphia Flyers’ loss and elimination to the Boston Bruins on Friday evening, power forward James van Riemsdyk contributed a late goal with less than two minutes left to give the U.S. hope against Switzerland.

Ultimately, Team USA fell short, dropping Monday afternoon’s contest 5-3 to the Swiss, but the 6-3, 220-pound forward – who led the Flyers in playoff scoring netting seven goals in 11 games – should provide the Americans with added ammunition when they battle the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals in Bratislava.

“Obviously, his size and scoring ability and he has a pretty good head for the game,” said U.S. head coach Scott Gordon, when asked about what van Riemsdyk brings to the team. “I was talking to him before the game and he picked up on things right away. It certainly is a great addition for our team at this point.”

“It’s a quick turnaround and a lot of emotion, its pretty devastating when your team’s season ends, but then you have the chance to represent your country which is a huge thrill for me,” said van Riemsdyk, who wore number 16 for the red, white and blue. “I couldn’t be happier to come over here and try to help this team win a medal.”

Regarding beating the effects of jet lag since arriving in Slovakia from the East Coast on Sunday, van Riemsdyk said, “I’m getting there. I actually had a good nights sleep last night, so hopefully in a couple more days, I should be feeling great.”

Logging more than 20 minutes of ice time, including portions of three U.S. power plays, van Riemsdyk led the team with seven shots on goal in defeat, six of which came in the final period. He also nearly scored what would have been a game-tieing goal from the doorstep of Swiss goalie Tobias Stephan before Switzerland put the contest out of reach with an empty-netter.

This is van Riemsdyk’s first appearance in the IIHF World Men's Championships, however he has represented his nation playing previously in three previous IIHF World Junior Championships and two IIHF World Men’s Under 18 Championships.

“I love it,” says the 22-year-old, Middletown, N.J., native about the international game. “USA Hockey helped me develop as a player making me the the player that I am today, so I owe a lot to them. Any time you get a chance to represent your country on this stage it’s a big thrill.”

Team USA will fly to Bratislava early Tuesday morning and immediately begin preparing for a talented Czech Republic team who are seeking to defend their 2011 world title. The teams will square off Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. EDT. Coach Gordon and van Riemsdyk’s teammates surely hope that they will once again benefit from the rugged forward’s skills, especially in the offensive zone.

“Obviously we’re going to have to play a good game,” said van Riemsdyk about the upcoming elimination game against the Czechs. “They have some great players that we’re going to have to keep any eye on and we’re excited for that challenge.”

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