University of Minnesota Athletics
Team USA Wins Pool and Runs Mark to 4-0 at World Juniors
12/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
With three current Minnesota players on its roster, the United States under-20 national team won its fourth straight game to capture its pool with a 5-3 win over Finland at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championships on Monday in Liberec, Czech Republic.
Jordan Schroeder, who has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Gophers next season, assisted the team's first three goals on Monday and has a team-high eight assists through the team's four games. Former Minnesota player Kyle Okposo also had an assist in the victory and has one goal and four assists for five points through four games. The United States led 5-0 after two periods before Finland scored three third-period goals.
Three current Gophers are playing for the United States in Mike Carman, Cade Fairchild and Ryan Flynn. Carman has two goals and Fairchild has one assist, while Flynn has not scored in the team's first four contests.
The United States earned a bye into the semifinals of the medal round and could face Finland in its next game on Friday. Finland plays Canada in the quarterfinals on Wednesday with the winner facing the United States in a game that will be televised live by the NHL Network. The other half of the draw has Sweden earning a bye into the semifinals and meeting either Russia or the Czech Republic.
Earlier in the week, the United States defeated Kazakhstan 5-1, beat Switzerland 4-2 and edged Russia 3-2.
