U.S. Men drop 2-1 OT decision to Denmark at World Championships

U.S. Men's National Team Falls to Denmark, 2-1, in Overtime
at 2010 IIHF World Men's Championship


Team USA Faces Finland on Wednesday in Final Preliminary-Round Game

COLOGNE, Germany -The U.S. Men's National Team dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to Denmark here Monday in its second preliminary-round game of the 2010 International Ice Hockey Federation World Men's Championship. It marked the second straight game that Team USA fell by a 2-1 overtime count, as the Americans now hold a 0-0-2-0 record (W-OTW-OTL-L).

"I thought we played our game in the second period," said U.S. Head Coach Scott Gordon. "Establishing a solid forecheck is a big part of playing our game. We turned the puck over way too much in the neutral zone overall. In the end, give Denmark credit. They earned the victory."

After a scoreless first period, the teams traded power-play goals in the middle stanza. Lars Eller beat U.S. netminder Scott Clemmensen (Des Moines, Iowa/Florida Panthers/Boston College) with a slap shot from the right circle at 8:52 to put Denmark on top. Just 3:11 later, Keith Yandle (Boston, Mass./Phoenix Coyotes) evened the game after he converted a cross-crease feed from Kyle Okposo (St. Paul, Minn./New York Islanders/University of Minnesota). Jack Johnson (Ann Arbor, Mich./Los Angeles Kings/University of Michigan), who is serving as Team USA's captain, also assisted on the play. The Americans had the upperhand in the period, outshooting Denmark by a 17-5 count.

After a scoreless third period, which included Team USA having to kill off a late Denmark power play, the game went to a five-minute, four-on-four overtime session. Stefan Lassen scored off a rebound 2:04 into the extra session to give Denmark its second straight victory.

Clemmensen finished with 27 saves, while Denmark goaltender Patrick Galbraith made 30 stops.

Team USA concludes the preliminary round on Wednesday (May 12) against Finland. Opening faceoff is set for 8:15 p.m. (2:15 p.m. EDT).

NOTES: Keith Yandle was named U.S. Player of the Game ... The top three teams in each of the four groups in the World Championship advance to the qualification round ... For Team USA's roster, click here ... Coverage of the 2010 U.S. Men's National Team can be found here ... All Team USA games, as well as additional international games, will air on Universal Sports and at UniversalSports.com. Visit UniversalSports.com for the full schedule ... All teams in the 2010 IIHF World Men's Championship may begin the tournament with 20 skaters and three goaltenders, and can add two players after the first three games ... Scott Gordon, head coach of the NHL's New York Islanders, is the head coach of the 2010 U.S. Men's National Team, with Todd Richards, head coach of the NHL's Minnesota Wild, Joe Sacco, head coach of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche, and Ron Rolston, one of two head coaches at USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, serving as assistant coaches ... The 2010 U.S. Men’s National Team is under the direction of Brian Burke, general manager; David Poile, associate general manager; and Jim Johannson, assistant executive director for hockey operations at USA Hockey. The U.S. Men's National Team Advisory Group, which also includes NHL front-office personnel Paul Holmgren (Philadelphia Flyers), Dean Lombardi (Los Angeles Kings), Ray Shero (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Don Waddell (Atlanta Thrashers), is charged with leading the selection of players for the U.S. Men's National Team ... USA Hockey's international council, chaired by Tony Rossi, vice president of USA Hockey, has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. national teams.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

USA 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -- 1
DEN 0 - 1 - 0 - 1 -- 2

First Period - Scoring: None. Penalties: DEN, Madsen (slashing), 10:02; USA, Carter (tripping), 13:20; USA, Carter (roughing), 16:07; DEN, Green (roughing), 16:07.

Second Period - Scoring: 1, DEN, Eller (F. Nielsen, Regin), 8:52 (pp); 2, USA, Yandle (Okposo, Johnson), 12:03 (pp). Penalties: DEN, Green (slashing), 2:21; USA, Galiardi (delaying the game), 7:32; DEN, Regin (tripping), 11:36; DEN, Regin (slashing), 14:43.

Third Period - Scoring: None. Penalties: USA, M. Greene (slashing), 15:47.

Overtime - Scoring: 3, DEN, Lassen (unassisted), 2:04. Penalties: None.

Shots by Period 1 2 3 OT Total
USA 8 17 6 0 31
DEN 11 5 10 3 29

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 OT Total
USA, Clemmensen, 62:04 11-11 5-4 10-10 3-2 29-27
DEN, Galbraith, 62:04 8-8 17-16 6-6 0-0 31-30

Power Play: USA 1-4; DEN 1-3
Penalties: USA 4-8; DEN 5-10
Officials: Referees-Ole Hansen (NOR), Vladimir Sindler (CZE); Linesmen-Andrii Kicha (UKR), Peter Sabelstrom (SWE)
Attendance: 8,985

Team USA 2010 IIHF World Men's Championship Schedule & Results
May 7-23 • Cologne, Gelsenkirchen & Mannheim, Germany

Date Opponent Location Time (Local/EDT) / Results

Tues., May 4 France (ex.) Amiens, France W, 3-1
Fri., May 7 Germany Gelsenkirchen L, 1-2 (OT)
Mon., May 10 Denmark Cologne L, 1-2 (OT)
Wed., May 12 Finland Cologne 8:15 p.m./2:15 p.m.
Fri., May 14-Tues., May 18 Qualification Round Cologne/Mannheim TBD
Sat., May 15-Tues., May 18 Relegation Round Cologne/Mannheim TBD
Thurs., May 20 Quarterfinals Cologne/Mannheim TBD
Sat., May 22 Semifinals Cologne TBD
Sun., May 23 Bronze-Medal Game Cologne 4:15 p.m./10:15 a.m.
Gold-Medal Game Cologne 8:30 p.m./2:30 p.m.

Arena Locations: LANXESS Arena (Cologne); VELTINS-Arena (Gelsenkirchen); SAP Arena (Mannheim)