USA pushes for top spot in Helsinki
12 May 2013 | Lukáš Peroutka
Team USA enjoyed a comfortable shot-out victory over Team Germany to move to top spot in Helsinki group of the World Championship.
Young
goalie John Gibson stopped 30 shots in his second start at the World
Championship and earned his first clean sheet. Germany opted for Dennis Endras
in goal, resting Rob Zepp after a game against Latvia the previous evening.
Endras was
quickly called into action as US pushed for an opening goal in the very first
minutes. Bobby Butler converted a powerplay into a 1-0 lead with a close range
rebound and Paul Stastny gave US team a two-goal cushion with a swift move in
front of the net and a rebound effort which was too good for Endras.
Tempo of
the game dropped afterwards. Germany pushed forward, but failed to create any
major chances against a good-working US defense and almost conceded another
goal as Aaron Palushaj missed his shorthanded breakaway.
Palushaj
had one more great opportunity to score as he was slashed on another breakaway
midway through the game and a penalty shot was awarded. Young US forward
attempted a quick deke, but put his shot wide and high of the goal.
As the game
went on, Germany looked more and more tired after a hard-fought victory over
Latvia the previous evening and when Michael Wolf’s one timer found only Gibson’s
glove, US could breathe with ease in the closing stages.
Stephen
Gionta then made it 3-0 with yet another rebound from Thompson’s shot and
effectively ended any hopes of German comeback. Germans stay fifth in the
table, just outside the playoff positions, while USA is once again on top of
the group.