Team USA Relentless Forecheck Paying Dividends

Entering the 2022 World Junior Championship reboot, the expectations for Team USA to repeat as gold medalists were high. Before the tournament was cancelled initially in December, Team USA had some concerns. Mainly their inability to win puck battles and play a heavy, physical game as head coach Nate Leaman wanted them to. Now, the roster construction was different back in December. However, something changed in this group that looks more determined on the ice than ever.

Team USA Finishes First in Group Play

Through four games, Team USA is 4-0-0-0 winning Group B. In their latest game, Team USA defeated Sweden by a score of 3-2 clinching the group. Granted, it is not like the Group of Death as it was back in December as Russia was barred from international play due to the invasion of Ukraine, but this is still a pretty impressive feat. It is the first time the United States went undefeated in Group play since 2017. Oh, by the way, Team USA won the gold medal that year.

Unlike the initial tournament, Team USA had a favourable schedule to work themselves into the tournament. The Americans opened up against Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. This allowed Team USA to establish their game against weaker opponents before playing Team Sweden. Having this type of schedule clearly was helpful for the Americans. Team USA was able to dominate these teams by establishing a relentless forecheck game as they played a heavy, physical style of hockey that was noticeable from the start.

Good Starts Crucial To Success

Getting off to good starts has been a staple for Team USA this tournament. While goals may not have come right away, the Americans have never panicked. Their patience was rewarded later in the game. This was due to their relentless forecheck on the puck.

“We really had a good start to the game, and I liked how we stuck with it throughout,” said Nate Leaman, head coach of Team USA after their first game. “We had six or seven good chances and Germany’s goaltender was making good saves. We could’ve gotten frustrated, but we didn’t, and eventually, guys got rewarded.”

Goals were hard to come by early against Germany and Switzerland, but the Americans found a way to open the flood gates as the game progressed. Against Austria, Team USA dominated taking their game to the next level. Head coach Nate Leaman was happy with his club’s performance considering it was an earlier time slot than normal.

After dominating these three teams, many thought Team USA would have a hard time against Sweden. Though the final score read 3-2, it was not indicative of the game itself. Team USA dominated Sweden from the opening puck drop. The Americans outshot Sweden 41-30. Only a 15-minute lapse allowed Sweden to cut the lead to one goal by the end.

“We were moving our feet best in the third period and were really playing to our identity in that final period,” said Nate Leaman. “I thought we were a little tight to start the game but that’s to be expected. It’s better to get that out of the way before the quarterfinals.”

Around Full Press Hockey

WJC: Luke Hughes Shines As Team USA Dominates Germany

WJC: Connor Bedard Continues Dominant Roll at World Juniors

WJC: The 2022 World Junior Championship Players To Watch

NFL: Best Bets For 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year

Full Press Bets: Early 2022 NFL MVP Odds: Bills’ Josh Allen Favored

PODCAST: Full Press Hockey Weekly: Ep 37: NHL Free Agency Recap

Relentless Forecheck Helps Americans Stay Perfect

The Americans opened the scoring on a power play goal by Bret Berard. However, it was not the prettiest of goals for Berard. But they do not say, they say how many. It was off another jam play in front of the net. Again Team USA was winning puck battles and getting rewarded for their hard work.

That hard work continued into the second period as the Americans outshot the Swedes 15-3 in the middle frame. Team USA built on their 1-0 lead as they continuously pressured Sweden. Their relentless play led to a 2-0 lead for Team USA.

Forward Matthew Knies grabbed a loose puck off a faceoff win leaving it for Logan Cooley. Cooley then began a quick cycle for Team USA in the Sweden zone. He fired a puck on Swedish goaltender Jesper Wallstedt. The puck came off Wallstedt and a goal mouth scramble ensued. Again Team USA’s relentless effort and hard work paid off as Matt Coronato scored on the rebound to give the Americans a two-goal lead.

Though Sweden had its chances they were finding it difficult to break the relentless forecheck and defensive play of Team USA. Nothing exemplified Team USA’s relentless pressure than the 3-0 goal by Coronato.

Five minutes into the final frame, with Team USA pressuring Sweden, Cooley again was in the spotlight. His relentless forecheck forced a turnover by Sweden in their own zone. From there Cooley sent the puck to Logan Slaggert, who created separation between him and the Sweden defence. From there Slaggert slid the puck over to a streaking Coronato as he notched his second goal of the night.

Coming out of the preliminary round, head coach Nate Leaman can be happy with his team’s performance as they had towards the medal round. Team USA will play Czechia in the crossover quarterfinal. The Americans are only getting better with each passing game. Team USA will have to continue their relentless forecheck along with winning puck battles if they want to advance to play for a medal.

After this result, they know they can play with any team with high calibre talent in this tournament.