Kessel’s Trick Wins Group A for USA!
USA forward Phil Kessel, right, celebrates his second goal (AP /Matt Slocum)
Phil Kessel’s pre-game meal must have been all organic as he scored a natural hat-trick to power Team USA. The victory gives Dan Bylsma’s charges the top spot in group A and a bye to the quarter finals.
PARTY HATS
It took 1:04 to get the party started for Phil Kessel and his American teammates. The Maple Leaf came in and decked one past the Slovenia goalie for the early tally. Joe Pavelski would set up all three of his goals and form 2/3 of the best line for Team USA on the day.
RANGERS OLYMPIC WATCH
We have a goal! Ryan McDonagh showed why he is considered one of the top American born blue liners in the NHL today. Blake Wheeler found Mac Truck on the right with a cross-ice feed. McDonagh put it where mama hides the cookies and the U.S. was up 4-0. Ryan Callahan then centered one for David Backes and picked up an assist, his first of the tourney. Derek Stepan played for the first time today and only saw a handful of shifts. Unless there is an injury, Stepan will not play again.
GOING FOR GOLD
Ryan Miller was solid in net today, in place of starting goalie Jonathan Quick. The 5-1 win not only gave them Group A and a quarter finals bye, it also gave them the largest goal differential at 11. Finland and Canada will face-off at 12 PM today with a 9 and 8 differential respectively. The winner of that game will finish with the most points in the round robin, if they can do it in regulation.
Team USA and the winner of Finland v. Canada will certainly be the top teams for gold in 2014!
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