BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – Team USA came out fast and furious, working and creating numerous scoring opportunities in the first period versus an experienced Czech Republic team, only to be denied by goaltender Ondrej Pavelec.

Young forward Craig Smith led the early assault with four shots on goal during the first 20 minutes, and James van Riemsdyk, Blake Wheeler, Nick Palmieiri and Jack Skille also contributed to the barrage against the Atlanta Thrashers netminder. The opportunistic U.S. squad managed 12 shots-on-goal total in the first, the same as the Czechs, but couldn’t find the back of the net despite strong chances, eventually losing 4-0 in the quarterfinal elimination contest.
 

[2011 swe 4]

Team USA controlled the play early in the game, but couldn't fell behind.
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Scott Gordon

“Pop one in early and you get in the goaltender’s head a little bit and it’s a different ballgame,” said Wheeler referring to his Atlanta teammate. “Pav did a great job keeping us off the board early and I think their whole team bought into it a little later in the game to make it really tough for us.”

Surely the most spectacular save of the game came against Smith on the U.S. team’s first power play after Lukas Krajicek was called for interference just past the ten-minute mark. Receiving a nice pass from Derek Stepan, Smith had both time and space in front of Pavelec. Demonstrating patience and poise, he went high, but the Czech goalie made a scintillating glove save. van Riemsdyk and Palmieri would follow immediately thereafter, also putting the rubber on net, yet unable to find the back of the twine.

“We had some good momentum swings there and a couple of good shifts,” said the 21-year-old Smith, who plays for the University of Wisconsin. “I was one of the guys that had a couple of good chances. Just couldn’t bury it. Goalie was playing well. I can’t say if we would have got one right away, the game would have been different, but it definitely would have changed the outlook of the first period.”

“We just kept coming and coming and if we get one, than maybe we could have had a few,” said defenseman, Jack Johnson. “It could have changed the whole complexion and psychology of the game.”

After two more good chances by Smith with under three minutes in the period, one of which involved a tricky spin move and shot trying to surprise Pavelec, Jaromir Jagr scored the first of his three goals, firing a wrist shot after breaking ahead of the defenders, one that trickled through the legs of U.S. goalie Ty Conklin’s at 18:45 to give the Czechs a 1-0 lead.

Unfortunately for Smith and the U.S. forwards, the Czech defense would only get stingier as the game progressed, aiding Pavelec in his shutout victory, which sent the Czechs into Friday’s semifinals.

“The Czech defense was really flopping to the net every time there was a puck chance in the slot,” said Smith. “They were really breaking things down and played well for him.”

“They really took away the middle of the ice in their defensive zone,” said Wheeler. “We were tough pressed to get good looks at the goal and the few we did Pavelec came up big.

The 39-year-old former Stanley Cup champion Jagr and a talented Czech squad overmatched a youthful U.S. team with an average age of just over 24.

Smith, who was one of three collegians on the team, ended the tournament second in scoring for the Americans notching three goals and three assists in seven games.

“I think the biggest thing about Smitty is how hard he plays,” said his 24-year-old linemate Wheeler. “It’s one thing to have skills and abilities, but if you’re not playing hard, than you’re not going to be as effective. For a young guy like him, to bring up his battle level every night is impressive.”

New York Ranger Derek Stepan, who recently completed his rookie NHL season, topped the United States in scoring with seven points (two goals, five assists), while Wheeler was third (two goals, three assists).

“Coming here, I kind of had an open mind, that I was going to play wherever I was going to play,” said Smith. “I got fortunate enough to play with Stepan and Wheeler and to play with Stepan again. My freshman year, I started playing on a line with him so we kind of had a connection from the get-go.”

Smith will once again lace up the skates for the Wisconsin Badgers in the fall, as he heads into his junior year. Despite the U.S. quarterfinal exit here at the 2011 IIHF World Championships, it is evident that it has been a highly rewarding experience for Smith, one that should only help to benefit him down the road.

“It’s been an absolute honor to play for USA Hockey and if I get a chance to do it again, I’m going to take it because you don’t know how many chances you’re going to get,” said Smith.

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