of America Returning to the top of the podium at the Men's Ice Hockey Youth Olympic Games, in commanding style. Gangwon-do 2024recorded a 4-0 shutout victory over the first-time Youth Olympic team. czech.
led by acting captain Mikey Barchild (2 goals, 1 assist) and goaltender Xavier Vento (Save 29 of 29 shots), the USA came from behind to lose to the Czech Republic in the group stage, and won the gold medal in the final on Wednesday (January 31).
The Americans recorded their first shutout of the short tournament when it mattered most, despite losing their second consecutive game 29-23. Wendt was impressive in goal for the United States, stopping 82 of 91 shots and finishing the tournament with a 90 percent save percentage.
But thanks to Belchild's two goals and one goal each; JP Hurlburt (1 goal, 2 assists) Zane Torre (1 goal, 1 assist), America definitely returned to the top of the podium after missing out on it in 2020 when they won the silver medal.
A silver medal is nothing to scoff at for the Czechs, who are competing in the first men's Youth Olympic tournament. They rallied from a three-goal deficit against the Americans in group play to record a penalty shootout victory, but a lack of discipline in the finals and two goals on the power play ultimately cost them.
american coach, Joe Bonnetdescribed the victory as “overwhelming”.
“It's an unbelievable feeling,” he told Olympic.com after the match. “I'm feeling a lot of joy that I didn't expect. I'm overwhelmed with joy and I'm very emotional.
“I thought the toughness of their team was good. They were also keeled. We knew they were playing good hockey, but we just didn't get the results. And they were very strong. They had a strong team concept and stuck to it.”
“And they didn't play as individuals. They played as a team and I thought they got even stronger as a team as the tournament progressed. The most pleasing thing for me was that we had a good team concept and It was selfish, and it paid off in the end.”
captain Parker Trottier “Throughout the entire tournament, we had a growth mindset. I mean, we had three shootouts and we didn't win in one of them, but you know, we won the gold medal. We came here to do it, and that's what we did.'' ”
Barchild said of the easy wins after the past three shootout games. “This one wasn’t as close as some of the other games…close games are fun, but that was good.
“It was tough battling the ups and downs, but I managed to stay in the median and get the job done today.”
Before, Finland The thrilling match for third place against Canada ended in a penalty shootout, and they won the bronze medal.
Canada defeated Finland in group play, but in the rematch Finland held Canada to a regulation 4-4 tie and won on penalty shots.
