Friday, December 30, 2011

U.S. Juniors Prep for Big Weekend

U.S. Juniors Prep for Big Weekend

For the 15 college players on the U.S. National Junior Team, this weekend’s games resemble a must-win weekend series in a hostile environment on a Friday and Saturday night.

The Americans, after a 4-1 loss to Finland on Wednesday, don’t necessarily need to win both of their games against Czech Republic and Canada these next two days, but every point they can collect will help in their chase for gold.

Friday the U.S. meets the Czechs at 3:30 p.m. ET, with Saturday’s New Year’s Eve tilt vs. Canada set for 8 p.m. ET.

The U.S. and Czech Republic enter Friday’s game with identical 1-0-0-1 records (W-OTW-OTL-L), making it pivotal in the race for the top three positions in Group B. Finland also stands 1-0-0-1.

Nebraska-Omaha head coach Dean Blais leads the American team that is captained by Jason Zucker of Denver. Former Boston University star Charlie Coyle had a hat trick in the team’s 11-3 win against Denmark and leads the Americans with four points.

Canada, led by Colorado College star Jaden Schwartz, is off Friday after beating the Czechs, Finns and Danes in its first three games by convincing margins. Schwartz, the lone collegian on the roster, has three assists and seven shots on goal.