USA wins Gold at 5 Nations Tourney

What a perfect ending to this trip!  The team went undefeated in this tournament - they were truly amazing to watch!  SO SO many incredible passes, goals etc... I know that i will never forget it and i'm sure Taylor won't either!!

We were a little concerned b/c after 2 periods we were behind.  In the past few games we've scored alot in the 2nd but the boys just couldn't get anything past the goalie! Finally, the slovaks let up and we didn't - we had a few penalties but ended with a score of 5-2!  What a sweet victory.  the boys had already won the tournament before even playing the slovaks but they wanted to win it ALL!! and they did:)

National Anthem with Slovakia

U17 Select Team Goes Undefeated at Five Nations

August 11, 2012 CHOMUTOV, Czech Republic – The U.S. Under-17 Select Team defeated Slovakia, 4-2, here today in its final game at the 2012 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament, capturing first place with an unblemished 4-0-0 record. "The term we came up with was 'relentless' and we were just that," said Barry Smith, head coach of the U.S. Under-17 Select Team. "Our work ethic was second to none, and when you combine talent with work ethic, that's tough to beat." After falling behind 2-0, the U.S. got on the board at 8:38 of the middle stanza when Dylan Pavelek (Marysville, Mich.) broke free and scored shorthanded. With an extra attacker during a delayed penalty call, Seamus Malone (Naperville, Ill.) slipped a backhand shot past the Slovakian netminder to tie the game at two just 3:18 into the third period. Minutes later, Joey Dudek (Auburn, N.H.) took the puck to the net and fired a shot high into the top right corner of the net, giving Team USA its first lead of the game. Austin Poganski (St. Cloud, Minn.) sealed the victory on the power play, putting home a rebound off a shot by Kyle Connor (Shelby Township, Mich.). The U.S. finished the 2012 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament undefeated, outscoring its opponents 20-6 in four games. We hung around the rink for awhile after the game - the boys had to load up their gear etc... they took their time:) They were asked for autographs after the game - but i wasn't quick enough with my camera...darn! Now we are back at our hotel - a new one!  we checked out of the Hotel Adalbert this morning and are now at the Marriott at the airport - literally across the street!  this will be so simple for us tomorrow - our flight leaves at 6am:(  Tonight we are meeting some other parents that we've met and have really enjoyed getting to know for dinner - they too are staying here with the same plan... Hopefully, i'll get a pic to post later:)  The families are The Poganski's, Gersich's, and Dougherty"s all from MN  - great people!