Team USA Gets Ready for the World Championships

Sunday night in Portland, Maine hockey fans saw a treat. The United States National Men’s Team played their first game on home soil since 2o04 where they faced Finland in Minneapolis in the World Cup. Yesterday was an exhibition game against Sweden. Team USA defeated Sweden 5-1. Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks) had a goal and an highlight reel assist. His linemate Peter Mueller (Phoenix Coyotes) had a goal and two assists. Nathan Gerbe who led Boston College to the National Championship also had a goal and an assist. Sweden goal came from former Minnesota Wild and New York Islander Mattias Weinhandl.

When I first looked at the United States roster I thought they would be a middle of a pack team. The average age is 24.6. Patrick Kane and Peter Mueller looked like they have been playing together their entire lives. They both came from the National Team Development Program and were linemates at the 2007 World Junior Championships. Zach Parise (New Jersey) should also be an offensive spark to this team. This team could be challenging for a Gold Medal. Hopefully their goaltending will be stable with Craig Anderson, Tim Thomas, and Robert Esche. They will have to find away past Canada and Russia who are probably the favorites.

I was expecting more from Sweden because half the team played in Sweden this season. They played in other international events this season. With the NHL additions they still came out flat. Mikael Tellqvist (Phoenix Coyotes) showed why he’s a back up goalie in the NHL. Dustin Brown’s (LA Kings) goal went through the five hole. Patrick Kane’s goal was also weak. Mueller won the draw passed it to Kane and it deflected over Tellqvist’s head into the net. He did make a nice save in the first period where he made a nice diving save. Patrick O’Sullivan (LA Kings) was able to score on he rebound to make it 2-0.

I have to give major props to the Swedish fans that made the trip. There were about 200 Swedish fans but it felt like 2,000 fans. Every Swedish fan in that building sung their National Anthem. It was embarrassing to see no American fans sing the American anthem. They were chanting throughout the game. I thought I was at the Gold Medal game and not an exhibition game.

The problem I had with Team USA is where are the name plates on the jerseys? For the first period instead of enjoying the game I was trying to find out who’s who. Poor management by USA Hockey and the arena staff only printing out 500 Game day rosters. 5,300 fans showed up and only printed enough rosters for 10.3% of the crowd. Most of the people that went to the game were casual hockey fans and probably didn’t know half the players on Team USA. Another interesting note the name plate on the Swedish jersey is below the numbers. Phil Kessel got the loudest ovation from the crowd. Nathan Gerbe got the second loudest ovation which I found strange coming from a BC player. Mark Stuart a Bruin was third.

Nathan Gerbe and Matt Gilroy of Boston University are apart of Team USA for training camp purposes only. I think Gerbe has the better chance out of the two to make the team. The tournament starts on May 2nd.

That’s My Take

Nathan Fournier

(Nathan also is a writer for MVN.com. He's the writer for the Asylum which covers the Lewiston Maineiacs of the QMJHL. He's also a regular contributor to the NHL Source also at MVN.com. He can be reached at fbbhgfan@aol.com)