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U.S. Takes Bronze at 2018 Men's Worlds

By USAHockey.com, 05/20/18, 10:00AM EDT

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Kreider scores twice as U.S. tops Canada, 4-1; U.S. earns its third bronze medal in six years in the event

COPENHAGEN, Denmark - Chris Kreider (Boxford, Mass.) scored twice and Keith Kinkaid (Farmingville, N.Y.) made 24 saves as the 2018 U.S. Men's National Team defeated Canada, 4-1, to win the bronze medal at the 2018 International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Championship

“I said all tournament, even when the games didn’t go our way, that our effort was there and I’m proud our group was rewarded here tonight,” said Jeff Blashill, head coach of the 2018 U.S. Men’s National Team. “Medals are important for our country and for USA Hockey. We have volunteers, coaches and staff all throughout the country that have played a role in helping our players and staff get to this level and this bronze medal is for them. It wasn’t the medal we had hoped for, but we’ve pushed USA Hockey further and it’s only a matter of time before we win gold.”

The win gives the United States (6-2-0-2/W-OTW-OTL-L) its third bronze medal (2013, 2015, 2018) and fourth top-four finish in six IIHF Men’s World Championships, a feat the country has not accomplished since medaling in three of the five tournaments it competed in from 1939-1950.

Both teams traded chances through the first five minutes of play before the U.S. took control of play. Cam Atkinson (Riverside, Conn.) nearly opened the scoring at the six minute mark when he cut through two defensemen for a breakaway chance, but the puck bounced off his stick before his attempt on net was turned aside by Canadian netminder Curtis McElhinney. 

The U.S. continued to apply pressure as it generated another pair of scoring chances over the next three minutes. The first opportunity came near the seven minute mark when Patrick Kane (Buffalo, N.Y.) found Blake Coleman (Plano, Texas) in the slot for a shot that was gloved aside. 

Just two minutes later, Dylan Larkin (Waterford, Mich.) chased down a loose puck for a breakaway attempt that was pushed out of harm’s way before Kinkaid stood tall moments later by saving a shot from Canada’s Kyle Turris. 

With the U.S. pressing for the game’s opening goal, Kane and Johnny Gaudreau (Salem, N.J.) connected for another scoring chance that went just wide of goal as both teams entered the first intermission scoreless.

The second period saw Charlie McAvoy (Long Beach, N.Y.) five minutes into the frame with Team USA’s best chance of the game as his shot from the right hash mark went off the right post and away from goal.

Just one minute later, Team USA broke through when Kreider converted a power-play goal at the 6:40 mark. The play started at the blue line where Alex DeBrincat (Farmington Hills, Mich.) threw the puck towards the slot that slipped through a pair of Canadian skates before Kreider picked it up, cut across the crease and tucked the puck past a sprawled McElhinney.

Kinkaid maintained the U.S. lead with a pair of saves at the halfway point of the period during a scrum in front of the net before Canada was able to even the score, 1-1, off a shot from Marc Edouard Vlasic with 1:54 to play in the frame.

The final stanza saw both teams press for the go-ahead goal before Nick Bonino (Hartford, Conn.) was able to score on the power-play with 6:39 to play. The play started when Bonino won the draw back to Kane who’s slapshot from the point was deflected on its way to goal. After McElhinney made the initial save, Bonino picked up the rebound, curled to the right and lifted a backhanded shot into an open net.

Canada responded by pulling McElhinney for the extra attacker with just over two minutes to play, but two U.S. empty net goals by Anders Lee (Medina, Minn.) and Kreider accounted for the 4-1 final.

NOTES: Chris Kreider (Boxford, Mass.) was named the U.S. Player of the Game …  Cam Atkinson (Riverside, Conn.), Patrick Kane (Buffalo, N.Y.) and Keith Kinkaid (Farmingville, N.Y.) were selected as Team USA's top three players of the tournament following Team USA's semifinal game against Sweden yesterday ... For complete game stats, click here ... Presenting the medals to U.S. players and staff was John Johannson, brother of the late Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of USA Hockey and general manager of the 2018 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team, who passed away in his sleep at his home in Colorado Springs on Jan. 21 ... For the complete roster, click here ... Jeff Blashill (Detroit Red Wings) is serving as head coach for the second straight year ... The staff and players of the 2018 U.S. Men's National Team are selected by Bill Zito (Columbus Blue Jackets), general manager of the 2018 U.S. Men's National Team, along with members of the U.S. Men's National Team Advisory Group that includes Stan Bowman (Chicago Blackhawks), David Poile (Nashville Predators), Ray Shero (New Jersey Devils), Dale Tallon (Florida Panthers), and Jeff Gorton (New York Rangers) ... For complete coverage of the U.S. Men’s National Team, click here … The official online home of the 2018 IIHF Men’s World Championship is 2018.IIHFWorlds.com … USA Hockey's international council, chaired by Gavin Regan (Potsdam, N.Y.), has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. national teams ... NHL Network is the exclusive U.S. rightsholder for the tournament.

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U.S. Schedule

Date Opponent Round Result Location
Tues., May 1 Denmark Exhibition W, 3-2 KVIK Hockey Arena
Herning, Denmark
Fri., May 4 Canada Preliminary W, 5-4 (SO) Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Sat., May 5 Denmark Preliminary W, 4-0 Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Mon., May 7 Germany Preliminary W, 3-0 Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Thurs., May 10 Latvia Preliminary W, 3-2 (OT) Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Fri., May 11 Korea Preliminary W, 13-1 Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Sun., May 13 Norway Preliminary W, 9-3 Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Tues., May 15 Finland Preliminary L, 2-6 Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Thurs., May 17 Czech Republic Quarterfinals W, 3-2 Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Sat., May 19 Sweden Semifinals L, 0-6 Royal Arena
Copenhagen, Denmark
Sun., May 20 Canada Bronze-Medal Game W, 4-1 Royal Arena
Copenhagen, Denmark

2018 Men's Worlds News