U.S. loses in semifinal, but can still end world championships on high note
USA players have less than 20 hours to rub out the disappointment of losing a 4-3 semifinal matchup against Canada and realize what it would mean for the program to win the country’s third medal in four years at the world championships.
If the Americans defeat the Alex Ovechkin-led Russians to win the bronze in Moscow, it would mark the best stretch of success USA has known at this tournament in 64 years.
“Bronze medal games are about mental toughness and resiliency,” USA coach John Hynes told Paste BN Sports, via cell phone, from Moscow. “You have to show that. That’s how you win a bronze medal.”
The game will be live-streamed by NBC Sports starting at 9 a.m. ET.
The Americans won bronze medals in 2013 and 2015. A third bronze would be the best run since 1949-52 when the Americans won two silvers and a bronze. The silver in 1952 occurred at the Olympics, which counted as the world championships then.
“We are a young team with a lot of energy and we are up for another challenge,” said USA forward Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings), who had two assists against Canada. “We are playing the Russians in Moscow. The loser goes home with nothing. The winner gets a medal. That’s what we came here to do.”
After losing 5-1 to Canada in the preliminary round, the Americans, the tournament’s youngest team, put a scare into the Canadians in the semifinal. The Americans led 3-2 in the second period until Canada tied it on a power play goal by New York Rangers center Derick Brassard and won it on a goal by Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis.
“We were ready to play tonight,” said Hynes, head coach of the New Jersey Devils. “Unfortunately, we came up one goal short. But this is the tournament. You can’t get too high when you win and too low when you lose. That’s been our motto throughout the tournament, and we have to remember that now because we have an opportunity to win a medal.”
Auston Matthews, projected to be the No. 1 pick in the June NHL draft, scored for USA, along with David Warsofsky (Devils) and Tyler Motte (Chicago Blackhawks prospect).
Hynes said he plans to talk to the players about USA’s history in this tournament with the hope of giving them an added layer of motivation.
“We have some guys returning who won the bronze medal last year,” Hynes said. “They know what it takes to get ready to play for a bronze.
Canada, which also got goals from Brad Marchand (Boston Bruins) and Brendan Gallagher (Montreal Canadiens), will meet Finland in the gold medal game. The Finns defeated the Russians 3-1 in their semifinal.
“The Russians are a real strong team,” Hynes said. “They have a very good power play. They have that quick-strike offense. We have to be aware of their offensive players, similar to what we faced against Canada. “