PRAGUE – Nick Bonino (Hartford, Conn./Vancouver Canucks) and Charlie Coyle (East Weymouth, Mass./Minnesota Wild) both tallied a goal and an assist and Connor Hellebuyck (Commerce, Mich./St. John’s University) made 39 saves to help the U.S. Men’s National Team to a 3-0 victory over the Czech Republic in the bronze medal game here tonight at the 2015 International Ice Hockey Federation Men’s World Championship.
The win gives the United States its second medal in the last three world championships, a feat the country has not accomplished since 1952. Team USA earned bronze at the 2013 IIHF Men’s World Championship in Helsinki and Stockholm, Sweden.
Bonino opened the scoring 7:22 into the opening frame when he knocked a bouncing puck out of the air at the front of the net off past Ondrej Pavelec. The play began when Coyle circled out from behind the net and found Brock Nelson (Warroad, Minn./New York Islanders) entering the zone. Pavelec made the initial save, but Nelson was able to send a rebound attempt on net that bounced above the crease where Bonino put it home.
Trevor Lewis (Salt Lake City, Utah/Los Angeles Kings) made it 2-0 for the U.S. with 1:47 remaining in the period when he re-directed a centering feed from Jack Eichel (North Chelmsford, Mass./Boston University). Eichel won the puck in the corner, skated up the right wall, and circled back to shake off the defender before finding Lewis alone in front for his third goal of the tournament.
The U.S. relied on Hellebuyck early in the second period after beginning the period shorthanded. Jan Kolar nearly got the Czech Republic on the board with a slap shot from the point, but Hellebuyck was there to make a sprawling glove save. Three minutes later, Hellebuyck was called upon again, this time robbing Martin Erat’s one-timer from the slot with a quick left pad save.
Bonino was given a double minor for high-sticking with 7:44 remaining in the period, but the U.S. was able to limit the Czech Republic to just four shots on goal during the four-minute man advantage. A minute after the penalty expired, Jiri Novotny was called for slashing to give Team USA its second power play of the game. Torey Krug (Livonia, Mich./Boston Bruins) nearly connected with a one-timer from the right circle but Pavelec was there to make the save on Team USA’s best chance with the man-advantage.
Just nine seconds after the penalty expired, Coyle collected the puck above the hash marks and fired a snap shot past Pavelec to give the U.S. a 3-0 lead with :49 remaining in the period. Coyle started the play when he intercepted a pass at the point and sent the puck down low to Bonino, who quickly fired a pass back to Coyle for Team USA’s final goal of the game.
Neither team was able to convert in the final period, with Hellebuyck making 15 saves to preserve the shutout.
NOTES: The U.S. won eight games in the world championship, the most of any U.S. team in a single men’s world championship …. Nick Bonino was named the U.S. Player of the Game … Connor Hellebuyck won seven games in the world championship, tying the U.S. single tournament record originally set by Ed Maki in 1939 … Team USA’s best three players of the tournament were Connor Hellebuyck, Seth Jones and Trevor Lewis … Connor Hellebuyck was named the goaltender on the media all-star team … The U.S. killed 30-of-32 opponent power plays in the world championship, including all five Czech power plays tonight.
Team USA 2015 IIHF Men’s World Championship Schedule/Results
May 1-17 • Ostrava/Prague Czech Republic
Date Opponent Venue
Time (Local/EDT)/Result
Tues., April 28 Austria (ex.) Eissportzentrum Kagran W, 4-1
Fri., May 1 Finland CEZ Arena W, 5-1
Sat., May 2 Norway CEZ Arena W, 2-1
Mon., May 4 Russia CEZ Arena W, 4-2
Thurs., May 7 Belarus CEZ Arena L, 2-5
Fri., May 8 Denmark CEZ Arena W, 1-0
Sun., May 10 Slovenia CEZ Arena W, 3-1
Tues., May 12 Slovakia CEZ Arena W, 5-4 OT
Thurs., May 14 Switzerland (quarterfinal) CEZ Arena W, 3-1
Sat., May 16 Russia
(semifinal) O2 Arena L, 0-4
Sun., May 17
Czech Republic
(bronze-medal game)
O2 Arena W, 3-0
*Eissportzentrum Kagran in Vienna, Austria; CEZ Arena in Ostrava, Czech Republic; O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic.
