U.S. moves to quarterfinals at hockey worlds
MYTISCHI, Russia (AP) – Paul Stastny scored two goals and helped set up another Saturday to give the United States a 3-0 win over Germany and a place in the quarterfinals at the hockey world championships. The victory gave the United States nine points in Group F. The Americans have 21 goals in five games, while the Germans have one of the best defenses at the tournament.
“We were expecting (the Germans) would play well. The Czechs beat us and they beat the Czechs,” Stastny said.
In Moscow, Julien Sprunger scored a pair of goals to help Switzerland close in on a spot in the quarterfinals with a 4-1 win over Denmark in Group E.
United States goalie John Grahame made 23 saves for the shutout, while Erik Cole assisted on all three goals.
Cole made a clean pass in front of the net to Stastny, who tipped it past Germany goalie Dimitri Patzold on the power play at 2:33 of the first period. In the second period, Cole once again fed Stastny, who poked it past Patzold at 15:26.
Stastny set up the third goal in the third period. He sent a pass from behind the net to Cole, who then passed to Lee Stempniak, who scored his third goal of the tournament at 3:31.
“His line had their best game of the tournament so far. Paul is a big part of that,” U.S. coach Mike Sullivan said. “He’s a guy we go to in every facet of our game, whether it be offensively or defensively, if we need someone to win a faceoff for us.”
The Americans face Canada on Monday for the top spot in the group. Germany plays Belarus on Monday.
“We knew it was going to be tough,” Patzold said. “The Americans come hard at the net. They always drive the net with two guys. They try to screen you and they go for the rebound hard.”