Team USA opens pursuit of gold medal in men's hockey with 1-0 lead over Slovenia
Team USA opened its pursuit of the gold medal in men's hockey by taking a 1-0 lead over Slovenia Wednesday.
At Sochi, the U.S. won this match-up 5-1, but these Olympics are being played without active NHL players, so its roster is full of veterans playing in international leagues while Slovenia's is largely intact after making it into the quarterfinals in Sochi four years ago.
The U.S. opened the game stronger than Slovenia, but the Europeans had the best chance to take the lead after an American ended his team's power play by committing a penalty.
With the teams skating 4 on 4, there was a scramble in front of the U.S. net, American defender Noah Welch stopping a sure goal by diving in front of the open goal.
USA Hockey's Brian Gionta Says His Age Is an Asset
But the U.S. kept pressing in the Slovenian zone and capitalized before the end of the period, forward Brian O'Neill slamming home a redirected pass from right in front of the net.
U.S. Captain Brian Gionta, 39, is the undisputed leader of the squad with more than 1,000 career NHL games under his belt, as well as a Stanley Cup victory with the New Jersey Devils in 2003.
There are some future stars to watch as well, headlined by University of Denver forward Troy Terry, who was Team USAâs hero at the 2017 World Junior Championship.
Slovenia is missing its one marquee name: Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar.