Slovakia U20 stripped USA of all points in thrilling game

Slovak U20 concluded the second day of the World Juniors with a magnificent comeback! After the first period, the Slovaks were trailing by two goals, and a turnaround didn't seem likely as they lacked effective finishing. However, Sakal broke the goal drought at the end of the second period, and Hrivnák followed suit after the second intermission, equalizing the score. In the dying minutes, big Slovak celebrations erupted as Danielčák secured the winning goal, completing the fabulous comeback. Despite a great performance, the Americans came just short and couldn't grab a single point in the thrilling game.

Svijanska Arena 2

4-3

(1:3, 1:0, 2:0)

Slovakia U20 - USA U20

Penalties

4:6

PPG

2:0

SHG

0:0

Shots on goal

26:18

Goals and assists

2. Balát (Gugh, Gríger), 30. Sakal (Bartakovics), 34. Hrivnák (Bartakovics), 44. Danielčák (Bartakovics) – 1. Rennebeck (Fetzer, Migliozzi), 3. Rudolph (Gallen), 15. Wright (Bahnak)

Referees

Josef Vrba, Michal Škrobák

Official game sheet

Slovakia U20

Hrubovský – Mešár, Knapík, Šulík, Sakal (A), Tulaev, Šarluška, Mišák, Dvořák (A), Rábek – Danielčák, Král, Gugh, Brejčák, Siakel, Balát, Šatka, Badalov, Hrivnák (C), Šamaj, Gríger, Lipták, Bartakovics.

USA U20

Mangini – Kosylo, Downing, Walsh, Wright, Matthew Migale (A), Rose. Gray – Henry (A), Hofstrom, Migliozzi, Michael Migale, Laverde, McCormick, Rudolph, Bahnak, Matus, Bruno, Rennebeck (C), Fetzer, Phillips, Gallen, Wilbur.

COACHES´ REACTIONS

Michal Salajka (SVK): "From our perspective, we evaluate it positively because we won. The important three points will certainly boost our confidence. I really thank the guys; they showed tremendous effort. Hats off to them. It's evident that our work during the training camps and all the practices paid off. However, this match doesn't mean anything; we have to keep working just as hard."

William Brasko (USA): "Another tough defeat because we were leading 3-1. The penalties brought us down. The guys played well and fought hard, but they spent too much time in the penalty box. We need to change that in the upcoming matches."