United States eliminated in Quarterfinals of Pyeongchang Games

United States, who had reached at least the Semifinals in the last two Olympic ice hockey tournaments, were eliminated in the Quarterfinals of the Pyeongchang Games by the Czech Republic (2-2; 3-2 in penalties).

Without the players from the prestigious NHL, the United States team is composed of college students and veterans who have already left the North American championship.

They were unable to find solutions against a well-organized Czech team, who thus avenged their elimination in the Quarterfinals in Sochi-2014 by the United States.

The Americans had been finalists in Vancouver-2010, and Semifinalists in Sochi, where they were rightfully eliminated by the future winner, Canada (1-0).

United States, unconvincing in the group stage, seemed to have recovered some coherence in their game by defeating Slovakia in the repechage (5-1). Against the Czechs, they opened the scoring through Ryan Donato (7), the only one of their players to come out reinforced from Pyeongchang.

But Jan Kolar equalized for the Czech Republic (16), who took the lead in the second period through Tomas Kundratek (29). Although Jim Slater would equalize shortly after (31).

In the penalty shootout, Czech goalkeeper Pavel Francouz stopped all five shots from the Americans. Petr Koukal was the only one of the ten shooters to send the puck into the back of the net. Enough to propel the Czech Republic to a round they had not reached since Turin-2006.

"It was our dream before the tournament to go this far, but I really hope it's not the end," Francouz said. "We can go further if we keep playing as well as a team," added the Czech hero.

The Czechs will face the Olympic Athletes from Russia team for a spot in the final, who defeated Norway on Wednesday (6-1).

In the other half of the bracket, Germany surprised Sweden, the Olympic runner-up in Sochi-2014, defeating them 4-3.

The Germans will face Canada in the Semifinals, the country that has won the last two Olympic editions of this tournament, but is missing its NHL players in Pyeongchang. The Canadians advanced with a 1-0 victory over Finland.