USA Rolls Over Slovakia 6-1, Zucker Injured

(above) Video: Martin Marincin's cheapshot on Jason Zucker

(above) Drew Shore scores for Team USA

From: Star-Tribune
by Michael Russo


The USA World Junior team rolled to a commanding 6-1 victory over Slovakia on Tuesday night, but a head injury to University of Denver forward Jason Zucker dampened the victory. The Americans moved into first place in Group A with a 56-18 shot edge, powered by two goals by Kyle Palmieri, three points from Charlie Coyle and one goal from University of Denver forward Drew Shore.

Shore's goal was a fantastic individual effort. Going coast to coast, he deked his way around Andrej Kudrna before deking out the goaltender and putting the puck top shelf off the back hand with 6:28 left in the period.

"I grabbed the puck in the neutral zone and kind of had a one-on-one," said Shore. "I thought I had a chance to beat the guy so I slid it through his stick and I was able to beat the goalie so I was pretty happy to get that one."

"One of the things we wanted to do was be disciplined going into the game and they took some penalties early so I think that was one of the reasons we were able to be successful," added Shore who finished with a goal on six shots and a plus-one. "Palmieri got us off to a great start and we were just able to role from there."

The game was a mismatch from the start, with Team USA recording more goals than Slovakia had shots in the first period. The Americans scored twice on 22 attempts while holding Slovakia scoreless on just one opportunity. The U.S. team built a 6-1 lead and 43-11 shot edge through two periods.

DU forward Jason Zucker left the game with a head injury midway through the third period. Zucker checked Slovak defenseman Adam Janosik deep in the offensive zone, and when he turned to skate back he was struck in the head by Martin Marincin's elbow. Zucker spent several moments crumpled on the ice. Clearly groggy, he eventually was helped off by USA trainer Stan Wong.

Marincin received a match penalty for an attempt to injure, which carries at least a one-game suspension.

"It was a vicious, dirty hit," U.S. coach Keith Allain said of Marincin's play, which came after Zucker checked a Slovak player in the corner.

The U.S. already was shorthanded, playing without previously injured forwards Jeremy Morin and Warroad's Brock Nelson.

Allain had no update on his injured players and described himself as "extremely disturbed" with how chippy the game became. In the first period, Slovakia's Peter Hrasko was ejected after getting his shoulder up in hitting Jerry D'Amigo along the boards in the Slovak zone.

Zucker's injury was the second major one Tuesday. Czech Republic defenseman Petr Senkerik was communicating with doctors after being wheeled off the ice on a stretcher early in a 7-2 loss to Canada. The tournament's disciplinary judge, Dan Marouelli, was reviewing whether the hits merit a longer suspension.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

God Dammit. I saw that 1st hit on the US guy and thought, Zucker or Shore better not come out of this thing screwed up..... what a shame.

Anonymous said...

I thought the same thing. Any new info? Do you think Zucker will be back for the next game?

Anonymous said...

Yeah, this is obviously the worst scenario that can occur when one of your players is selected for this type of tournament. Hopefully Zuck has no lingering effects and can continue his marvelous frosh season with the same effectiveness...

du78 said...

No word on Jay Z this morning.

Anonymous said...

Cheap shot Eurotrash. Fucker needs to get piss pounded!

Twister said...

That kid for Slovakia, Marincin, is a gutless punk. The Slovakian coach, players, and entire national program should be embarrassed.

Anonymous said...

tHAT WAS TOO BAD WHAT HAPPENED TO d'AMIGO TOO. yOU HATE SEEING GUYS GO DOWN IN A SHORT TOURNEY. hOPEFULLY zUCKER, nELSON, AND mORIN ARE AVAILABLE BY THE MEDAL ROUNDS.

Anonymous said...

The IIHF should send that jerk home to Slovakia, and remove him from the tournament and from the team, no questions asked - or maybe they did alread. Way to represent your country and the sport, Jackass.

Anonymous said...

any video besides youtube? blocked at work...

Anonymous said...

poor grammar 10:41. it should be d'aMIGO

Anonymous said...

The guy who hit Zuck got suspended for games. I would have been happy with an on ice beat down.

dggoddard said...

Four games is about right, but its another hit that could have possibly broken a players neck.