Slovakia, bidding for its first Olympic medal within the tournament, complex to the final 4 after successful a nail-biting shootout in a dramatic conclusion to the sport.
The United States held a 2-1 lead past due within the 3rd length, however a last-gasp objective via Slovakia’s Marek Hrivik tied the sport with 43.7 seconds left of legislation time.
Neither workforce may in finding the leap forward all over additional time and the targets persisted to turn out onerous to return via within the shootout as neatly.
Peter Cehlarik was once the one guy to transform his effort with Slovakia goalie Patrik Rybar preventing all 5 of Group USA’s pictures.
“I attempted to concentrate on the best way each participant was once going. I attempted to learn them and I’m so satisfied we made it,” Rybar mentioned after the win.
“I am simply so satisfied that I performed neatly this night and helped the blokes.”
‘A sport of inches’
Even earlier than Rybar’s heroics within the shootout, the Slovakian stopper have been in good shape.
He was once equivalent to every of Group USA’s seven pictures in additional time and saved his aspect within the tie for enormous classes of the sport.
The United States shall be annoyed that they were not ready to look the sport out however remained pleased with what the younger workforce accomplished — lots of the athletes representing america are nonetheless enjoying faculty ice hockey
“Hockey is a sport of inches. They (Slovakia) performed neatly, they caught to their id and on the subject of a shootout there is not in reality that a lot you’ll be able to do,” mentioned Group USA’s Steven Kampfer, praising his workforce stuffed with younger skill.
“We did a gorgeous excellent activity at working out the instant within the room. We performed the sport 5 mins at a time, going whistle to whistle.
“Those guys may have a really perfect long term forward of them and they’re going to be again right here representing the United States earlier than you understand it. However this one’s going to sting for a little bit bit for all people.”
This Slovakian workforce has now reached the final 4 of the Wintry weather Olympics for the primary workforce since Vancouver 2010. It completed fourth on that instance and faces a tricky proposition towards Group ROC on this yr’s semifinals.
