ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — The U.S. had a 33-14 shots-on-goal advantage in the game, but Germany broke a 2-2 tie on a seeing-eye-shot from the point through traffic with :33 to play in regulation to earn a 3-2 victory in preliminary round play here today at the 2016 International Ice Hockey Men’s World Championship.
“It was a hard fought game by both teams,” said John Hynes, head coach of Team USA. “Unfortunately for us, we came a a little short.”
Germany took an early lead with a power-play marker by Patrick Hager 2:19 into the opening period.
The teams exchanged roughing penalties at 10:21 and just :14 into the four-on-four, JT Compher (Northbrook, Ill.) skated in along the right side and sent a pass to Jake McCabe (Eau Claire, Wis.) at the far post who tapped it in to even the game. Germany re-gained the lead on Christian Ehrhoff’s slapshot from the point at 13:06 and had a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes.
Team USA had :36 left on a power play that carried over into the second period and with :10 remaining in the man advantage, Brock Nelson (Warroad, Minn.) found Auston Matthews (Scottsdale, Ariz.), who took a few strides and whistled a shot into the upper right corner of the net.
The U.S. had three more power-play opportunities in the second period and outshot Germany, 10-3, but the game remain tied headed into the third period.
Team USA fired eight shots on net in the third period, but could not solve Greiss. With :33 on the clock, Korbinian Holzer scored the game-winner.
Mike Condon (Holliston, Mass.) had 11 stops in the U.S. net, while Greiss made 31 saves for Germany.
The U.S. (3-0-0-3-0, W-OTW-OTL-L-T) will close out preliminary round play Tuesday against Slovakia. Opening faceoff is set for 12:15 p.m. (5:15 a.m. ET). The game will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network, and a live stream will be available on NBC Sports Live Extra. Team USA can secure a spot in the quarterfinal round with a win.
NOTES: Jake McCabe was named the U.S. Player of the Game … Brock Nelson won all seven faceoffs he took in the game .
