USHL News | Team USA Prevails in Shootout Fashion over Czechia

General | 12/29/2023 1:52:48 PM

Team USA at 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship | Dec. 29, 2023

Team USA 4, Czechia 3 shootout | Pool Play

BoxScore

  Gothenburg, Sweden —- It took a shootout goal from Isaac Howard in order for Team USA to prevail 4-3 over Czechia at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden Friday.

Team USA, which includes 22 players who have played in the USHL, took an early 1-0 lead, but had to battle back twice in order to take the game to overtime.

Isaac Howard (USA Hockey NTDP 2020-22) put Team USA up 1-0 when he scored at 1:12 of the opening period, but Jakub Stancl scored at 15:40 and end the end of the first 20 minutes of action, the score stood 1-1.

The two teams exchanged second-period goals with Jakub Stancel and Robin Sapousek scoring for Czechia and Will Smith (USA Hockey NTDP 2021-23) and Ryan Chesley (USA Hockey 2020-22) replying for Team USA.

A scoreless third period sent the game to overtime, marking the first overtime time game at this year’s tournament.

After neither team was able to score in the extra session and a seven-round shootout ensued.

Howard and Gabe Perreault (USA Hockey NTDP 2021-23) did the damage for Team USA, while ,Jiri  Kulich was the lone member of Team Czechia to score, giving Team USA the victory.

Michael Hrabal (Omaha 2022-23) made 30 saves for Czechia.

Jacob Fowler (Youngstown 2021-23), who was making his second consecutive start, stopped 20 shots as Team USA upped its record at the tournament to 2-0-1-0.

Team USA closes out pool play Sunday with an 6:00 a.m., EST face-off vs. Slovakia.

Be sure to check out the USA Hockey WJC page for more information.

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