(above) It sounds like Jason Zucker will play in the semi-final game on Monday nightFrom: Buffalo News
by Miguel Rodriguez
If any team ever needed a bye into the IIHF World Under-20 Hockey Championship semifinals, it's the battered and bruised United States. The USA will face the winner of Canada-Switzerland who will play today.
The extra day off gives Team USA forwards Jeremy Morin and DU star freshman Jason Zucker -- key members of last year's gold-medal outfit -- some additional time to try to recover and perhaps become available for the meaningful games of the tournament after missing a combined five preliminary-round contests due to upper-body injuries. Coach Keith Allain didn't provide any updates on their status following Friday's bye-clinching 2-1 win over Switzerland.
Morin has been out since suffering what's believed to be a shoulder injury in the Americans' 3-2 overtime win over Finland last Sunday. Zucker was KO'd by an elbow to the head in the 6-1 win over Slovakia last Tuesday by defenseman Marek Marincin -- a blow that resulted in the Edmonton Oilers' prospect being suspended for four games.
"This extra day off is going to go a long way in their recovery," U.S. forward Kyle Palmieri said. "Hopefully the next couple days we all get healthy and put our full roster on the ice against whoever we play."
Team USA didn't practice Saturday, opting to rest up for what could be a potential semifinal clash with Canada on Monday.
The extra day off gives Team USA forwards Jeremy Morin and DU star freshman Jason Zucker -- key members of last year's gold-medal outfit -- some additional time to try to recover and perhaps become available for the meaningful games of the tournament after missing a combined five preliminary-round contests due to upper-body injuries. Coach Keith Allain didn't provide any updates on their status following Friday's bye-clinching 2-1 win over Switzerland.
Morin has been out since suffering what's believed to be a shoulder injury in the Americans' 3-2 overtime win over Finland last Sunday. Zucker was KO'd by an elbow to the head in the 6-1 win over Slovakia last Tuesday by defenseman Marek Marincin -- a blow that resulted in the Edmonton Oilers' prospect being suspended for four games.
"This extra day off is going to go a long way in their recovery," U.S. forward Kyle Palmieri said. "Hopefully the next couple days we all get healthy and put our full roster on the ice against whoever we play."
Team USA didn't practice Saturday, opting to rest up for what could be a potential semifinal clash with Canada on Monday.
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