FanShot

Final Team USA update from World Universtiy Games

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To go from the chance of playing for a medal to playing for 7th place, it would be understandable if Team USA would struggle to get up for the game against host China. From the outset, however, it was obvious Team USA came to win. Kent State's Jason O'Bannon would draw first blood less than 5 minutes into the game. The rest of the period would lull until the final two minutes where Rhode Island's Kyle Krannich and Illinois' J.J. Heredia gave Team USA a 3-0 lead after one. The second period started out quiet, until the 9:36 mark, where Krannich would slam home his second. And at that point, the proverbial flood gates opened. Icers' own Jaime Zimmel would add a goal 70 seconds later, and WCU's Jim Gehring only need 10 seconds to make it a 6-0 run away. But they weren't done, as Heredia would get his second of the game a few minutes later. And not to be outdone by his teammates, Zimmel would put home his second with 57 seconds left in the period. Team USA would also outshoot China in the period, 28-4. Team USA would glide home on the 8-goal cushion. The two teams would swap a pair of goals each in the final period, giving Team USA one last win, 10-2. A dominating win from top to bottom gives Team USA it's best finish at the WUG ever - a bittersweet 7th place. While it's definite progress, it's a final spot that's not indicative of the talent of this team. Kudos to Zimmel for two more goals, and to DeLo with two assists in this game - a strong statement as to the talent that the ACHA, and Penn State, can bring to the world stage.