Slovakia breaks USA – 08.12.2016

Slovakia and USA tangle off in an exciting game despite the huge goal difference 7-3, (1-1, 3-0, 3-2).


Game one of the day in Arena Riga between Slovakia and USA began with both teams being offensive contributors straight away. Team USA struck first just 5:09 into the game. Slovakia tried to pressure back and it worked well for them, 9:47 played and Slovakia tied it up. Slovakia was also awarded with the 1st penalty of the game, which was successfully killed. Both kept fighting till the very end of the period demonstrating that this game will be intense to watch.

2nd period looked all Slovakian who created a couple of great scoring chances early in the period. Although USA was in contention they couldn´t do much. Desperation made them take a penalty, which resulted in a goal against them. Moments later, Slovakia missed a wide open side of the net. Slovakia kept playing their game in the remainder of the period and got a few balls past USA, gaining a big lead.

Slovakia came back to play the 3rd period the same way they finished the 2nd - a goal just 1:29 into the period. That changed quickly as USA decided that they are not ready to give up yet and thus created chances on multiple occasions and managing to come back with three goals. It took Slovakia 49 seconds to get back up by four and likely seal the game. It kept swinging back and forth as Slovakia took a holding penalty but United States of America couldn´t capitalize. By the end of it, both sides traded some goals but despite that Slovakia could manage their lead to come out with a victory.