The U.S. got to an early start, with a scoring chance just 25 seconds into the first period, followed up by a drive to the net from Josh Hargis (Colorado Springs, Colo.). As Hargis broke away to the net he was hauled down resulting in a penalty shot, but Czech netminder Martin Kudela forced a shot wide. The U.S. continued its offensive push, jumping on the power play three times in the period, but the score remained 0-0 despite outshooting their opponents 17-0.
Offensive momentum continued into the middle frame, with back-to-back U.S. goals early in the second period. Noah Grove (Frederick, Md.) wired a pass to Wallace, who used his momentum toward the net to set up a wrist shot high and over the outstretched glove of Kudela. Brody Roybal (Northlake, Ill.) followed up the tally shooting high on the short side, over the head of Kudela. Josh Pauls (Green Brook, N.J.) and Travis Dodson (Deming, N.M.) picked up assists on the play. It appeared Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) pushed the U.S. to a 3-0 lead as time expired, but replay review confirmed that the puck crossed past the goal line after the clock his zeros.
Wallace would make it 3-0 officially, with a highlight reel goal 3:30 into the third period. The defenseman looked of the Czech defender, dekeing past while regathering the puck, and as he moved the puck back under his sled he was able to bury the puck past the outreached netminder. As the period was ending, Rico Roman (Portland, Ore.) won the draw by to Christopher Douglas (St. Cloud, Fla.) who fired a shot from the blue line that found the back of the net.
Team USA returns to action on Tuesday (June 22) as they close out Group A play against South Korea. Opening faceoff is set for 2:45 p.m. ET and the game can be seen live on Olympic Channel.
