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BRING ON THE WORLD...AGAIN
May 13th, 2010... We lost to Finland in a must win game and I am at a loss for words to describe my feelings. We played hard and gave it our all, but once again, we just couldn't score. It's that simple, we only scored 4 goals in three games. As disappointing and frustrating as that is, we have to regroup, move on, and prepare for our next task: winning our next three games to avoid putting USA's 2011 World Championship team in the "B" pool. That is completely unacceptable and just cannot happen. It is imperative that we regroup and show everyone we are better than this.
With a couple days to prepare, get our heads right, and accept the task, I believe we will come out strong Saturday and make the best of a lousy situation. We owe it to ourselves and everyone who has played for USA before us and who will play for USA next year to position ourselves back in medal contention.
I assure you we will give it everything we have on the ice. We have to win! 
Team USA 2010 IIHF Men's World Championship Schedule
May 7-23 • Cologne, Gelsenkirchen and Mannheim, Germany
Date |
Opponent |
Time (EST/PST) |
Tues., May 4 |
France (exhib.) |
Win, 3-1 |
Fri., May 7 |
Germany |
L, 1-2 OT |
Mon., May 10 |
Denmark |
L, 1-2 OT |
Wed., May 12 |
Finland |
L, 2-3 |
Relegation Round |
Sat., May 15 |
Kazakhstan |
W, 10-0 |
Sun., May 16 |
France |
W, 4-0 |
Tue., May 18 |
Italy |
W, 3-2 SO |
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 May 11th, 2010... It's hard to believe we lost again in overtime by the identical 2-1 score, especially since we should have won both games. No excuses, we HAVE to do better. Our goaltending has been great, defense has been solid, and the penalty killing is doing awesome. We just have to find a way to score, it's that simple. We have just been snake bitten in scoring. It gets depressing when you totally dominate territorially and come up empty. Hats off to Denmark.
That's the bad news, now for the good news: We're far from done! If we beat Finland we will move on to the qualification round - that's what's important. It's like in the NHL, just make the playoffs and anything can happen. We'll be ready. I believe everyone feels the urgency and the pride at stake. Failure is not an option!
Team USA's 2010 Men's World Championship Team
May 8th, 2010... We are certainly very proud to have been a part of the world's largest hockey game, but really disappointed in the results. Losing 2-1 to Germany was a bitter pill. The event itself was truly fantastic. It was incredible to look around and see such a sea of people. In these tournaments it's hard to know if they are all there for the hockey or the party, they sing and chant the entire time! Truly remarkable. Everything was great except the ice and the game. We knew going in the ice would be a factor, and it was. We certainly had to be aware of your passes, puck handling and even skating because there were many questionable spots out there. Nevertheless, hats off to the Germans for an incredible event.
I am really encouraged by the way we came on as the game progressed. This team started to get it together and I felt we completely dominated the third period. The overtime goal was one of hockey's bounces, right off the guy's shin pad. The important thing is we got the one point and really started to come together, our cycle and sense of where everyone is started to happen.
I expect we will come out flying right from the start Monday, picking up where we left off in the third. I know I'm just starting to feel normal, the time difference from L.A. is nine hours, a couple more days of practice and I am certain we'll be ready for Monday when we face Denmark. Go USA!
May 5th, 2010... I'm currently in Germany preparing for the 2010 World Championships. We just played an exhibition game yesterday against France in Paris and won 3-1. It was really cool, the rink was small, but packed. Quite a different setting than Vancouver in the Olympics. The only similarity was that everyone was rooting against us. Afterwards, I received the honor of being named team captain.
Don't miss a minute of the action as Universal Sports will be broadcasting the 2010 IIHF Men's World Championships at universalsports.com. Make sure to catch me in action and cheer on Team USA as we try to bring home a gold medal!
See what channel Universal Sports is in your area.
Follow the tournament online
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 It has been a few months now since the Olympics, and I can't help but think how close we were and I'm still mad we didn't win. We know we were the best team there, and I wish we could have played a third game against the team up North to settle it once and for all. I am proud of what we did accomplish and to have had the incredible experience of representing the USA. I feel that we brought honor and respect to USA Hockey, players, coaches, administrators, and parents throughout our country.
Thank you to all of those who took the time to write, blog, email, text, call and just say "good job". Your support really meant a lot! The fun didn't all end with the Closing Ceremonies - I was invited (along with my silver medal) to the Oscars and the E! After Party which was an awesome time!
The Kings season ended a couple weeks ago with a bitter disappointment in losing to Vancouver. They are a really great team led by Ryan Kesler. Throughout the series I felt we could have and should have won. I'll leave it at that.
Our first game in the World Championships is Friday against Germany in front of over 75,000 people! We will be playing in a soccer stadium and will be setting the all time attendance record to date. Should be exciting. I'll try and update as we go along. Check USA Hockey website for more information and the latest scores.
Thanks again to everyone.
As always...GO USA...GO BLUE...GO KINGS...
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