USA Defeats Germany for Perfect Preliminary Run

Team USA defeated Germany 3-2 on Sunday to finish the preliminary round with a perfect record through three games, clinching the top spot in Group A and securing a bye into the quarterfinal round at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

The USA line helmed by center Matty Beniers, the Seattle Kraken's first draft pick in franchise history, provided a 2-1 lead in the second period. The all-NCAA unit of Beniers, Matthew Knies (Minnesota) and Nick Abruzzese (Harvard) controlled possession in the offensive zone with a tenacious forecheck.
"That is definitely the identity of our team," Abruzzese said post-game of the team's forecheck. "We try to play fast, hound other teams' D and make their lives miserable. We had a couple of good shifts where we were playing in the offensive zone and getting second opportunities because we were hounding pucks."
Knies cashed in when Abruzzese attempted a wraparound. The puck ended up in front on the stick of Knies, who buried it for his second point of the tournament. The goal was upheld after a video review was prompted by a challenge from Germany coach Toni Söderholm.

Beniers turned in a solid performance against Germany, his presence felt in both the offensive and defensive zones. USA and Germany engaged in a highly physical matchup.
"We're not a big team, so teams are probably going to try to overmatch us with physicality. I thought we answered the bell tonight," coach David Quinn said post-game.
For a second straight game, USA fell behind early before rallying with three consecutive goals. Canada took a lead just 1:24 into the game Saturday before USA took control. On Sunday, Germany pulled ahead two minutes into the game on a Patrick Hager power-play goal.
And just like in the Canada game, Team USA responded quickly. On the power play, Steven Kampfer launched a blast from the point that found paydirt 2:26 after the Germany goal to tie it up.

"We believe in ourselves," Quinn said of his team's ability to respond quickly when down. "There's an unwavering confidence in our group. People don't know what we know about ourselves. There's a swagger to us right now, and it's not arrogance. There's a swagger to us."
Andy Miele and Ben Meyers earned the assists while Brian O'Neill provided a net-front screen of German goalie Danny aus den Birken, who finished the game with 29 saves.
USA goalie Drew Commesso made 24 saves in his second start of the tournament. He recorded a 29-save shutout against China in USA's Olympic opener.
The Knies goal spurred a dominant second period by USA, and that carried over into the third when Nathan Smith scored on a backhander 2:47 into the period to push the lead to 3-1.

USA clamped down defensively until Germany broke through with 2:29 remaining in the game. Tom Kuhnhackl, a five-year NHL veteran with the Penguins and Islanders, backhanded a puck in tight past Commesso to cut the deficit to 3-2.
USA sealed the win after facing a swarm of German offensive pressure with the empty net.
A potential rematch looms on Wednesday as Team USA will play the winner of Germany vs. Slovakia in the next round. Defenseman Jake Sanderson missed the game with an injury and is considered day-to-day. Forward Sam Hentges made his Olympic debut.
"We've really become a team in a short period of time," Quinn said. "You can feel it in the locker room, you can feel it around the village."