IIHF Men’s: USA Over Switzerland

MINSK, Belarus – Peter Mueller (Bloomington, Minn.), Craig Smith (Madison, Wis./University of Wisconsin/Nashville Predators) and Tyler Johnson (Spokane, Wash./Tampa Bay Lightning) scored to help the U.S. Men’s National Team to a 3-2 victory over Switzerland in its second preliminary-round contest at the 2014 International Ice Hockey Federation Men’s World Championship here today.

“We’re really happy with our effort tonight,” said Peter Laviolette, head coach of the 2014 U.S. Men’s National Team. “I think our guys did a terrific job of showing up in the second night of back-to-back games. They didn’t quit and kept playing in the third period. It was a competitive game both ways, there was a great atmosphere in the building and those are the types of games you want to be in.”

Smith and Johnson scored third-period goals to help the U.S. erase a 2-1 Switzerland advantage. Smith evened the score at 1:28 when he tapped home a rebound from the edge of the crease on a power play. Johnson sent a pass into the slot that Brock Nelson (War road, Minn./University of North Dakota/N.Y. Islanders) pushed towards the net. His try was blocked, but Smith found the loose puck and scored. Then, with 6:45 remaining in the game, Johnson took a pass from Seth Jones (Plano, Texas/Nashville Predators) at the top of the left circle and quickly sent a shot through traffic and past Swiss goaltender Rote Berra to give Team USA a 3-2 lead.

Following a scoreless first period, Switzerland struck first at 1:28 of the second stanza.

Team USA responded when Mueller converted on a breakaway at 6:15 to knot the score at 1-1. Just after a penalty to Mueller ended, Tim Stapleton (La Grange, Ill./University of Minnesota Duluth) made a perfect outlet pass to spring Mueller in on the break. Mueller moved towards the net, slowed and fired a shot through Berra’s legs. Jeff Petry (Ann Arbor, Mite./Michigan State University/Edmonton Oilers) was credited with the second assist on the play.

The Swiss responded with a goal to retake the lead at 9:39 of the middle period and carried the 2-1 edge into the second intermission.

U.S. goaltender Tim Thomas (Flint, Mite./University of Vermont/Dallas Stars) made 27 saves and was named Team USA’s “best player” in the post game ceremony. Berra had 35 saves for Switzerland.

The U.S. Men’s National Team (2-0-0-0) will continue play in the IIHF Men’s World Championship Monday (May 12) at 1:45 p.m. ET vs. Russia. The game can be watched live on NBC Sports Network.

NOTES: Tonight’s box score, highlights, photos and more comments from Head Coach Peter Laviolette are available here … Team Usa’s nine goals in the tournament have been scored by eight different players. Peter Mueller, Craig Smith and Tyler Johnson each lit the lamp for the first time tonight … Tyler Johnson tallied a goal and an assist to take over the team lead in points (1-3=4) … The U.S. improved to 15-0-1-7-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T) all-time against Switzerland in the IIHF Men’s World Championship … Peter Laviolette is serving as head coach of the 2014 U.S. Men’s National Team for the third time (2004-bronze, 2005). The assistant coaches are Joe Sacco, Phil Housley and Don Granato … For Team Usa’s roster, click here … Twenty of 25 announced members of Team USA played U.S. college hockey … Seven of the 25 players are products of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, including Jimmy Hayes, Seth Jones, Jake McCabe, Peter Mueller, Connor Murphy, Drew Shore and Jacob Trouba … Thirteen NHL teams are represented on the roster: Buffalo Sabers, Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets … The staff and players of the 2014 U.S. Men’s National Team are selected by the U.S. Men’s National Team Advisory Group, led by Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. Other members, all affiliated with National Hockey League teams, include Stan Bowman (Chicago), Brian Burke (Calgary), Paul Greenhorn (Philadelphia), Dean Lombardi (Los Angeles), David Poole (Nashville), Ray Shore (Pittsburgh), Dale Talon (Florida), and Don Waddell (Pittsburgh). Tom Servers (Tampa Bay) will be part of the advisory group for this year’s championship … USA Hockey’s international council, chaired by Gavin Regan, vice president of USA Hockey, has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. national teams … Sixteen teams are competing at the 2014 IIHF Men’s World Championship, divided into two groups of eight. Teams will play a round-robin format among their group with the top four teams from each group advancing to quarterfinals … NBC Sports Network is televising and streaming all Team USA games in the 2014 IIHF Men’s World Championship.