USA   2     0     4  -  6
ITA   1     2     0  -  3
 
USA just came from down 3-2 after two periods with four third-period goals to
beat a tough Italian team, 6-3.  Clark Donatelli, Steve Heinze and C.J. Young
all scored on identical plays as they were ignored by the defense, took passes
from the right corner and banged them in from point-blank range.  Tim Sweeney
also scored when he stole the puck at center ice, went in and beat Dave Delfino
on a nifty fake; that goal made it 5-3.
 
Other USA goals came in the first period from Moe Mantha and Jim Johannson
as the team opened up an early 2-0 lead.  Italy scored late in the period on a
rebound, tied it early in the second with a goal from Bob Manno and then went
ahead late in the second when Giuseppe Foglietta was sent in and the USA
defense basically watched him go.
 
Italy was tough as they recovered from an early onslaught to slow the game
down to their pace, but when USA came out and tied it early in the third,
the Italians seemed to panic and USA really took the play to them, both
physically and with great skating.  Shots were even after two at 21-20 USA,
but USA outshot Italy something like 14-3 in the third and didn't allow a
shot for more than half of the period.  With Finland and Sweden also winning
earlier in the day against teams they should have beaten, the pressure was on
for USA to keep pace, so the strong third period was encouraging to see.  Also,
starting off with a win was very important so as to keep the interest of the
country and tv, otherwise this may have been the last time we'd see the team
during this Olympics.
 
USA's Ray LeBlanc played a solid game in net, and Delfino (starred at Lowell
a few years ago, which was called "Lowell University" by John Davidson) was
superb in helping his team stay close so they could get a few goals and take
the lead.  But he was hung out to dry in the third and I felt bad for him -
the score doesn't show how well he played.
 
USA players of the game were probably Sweeney with a goal and two assists in
the third period, and Heinze who got the go-ahead goal and played a good
all-around game.  Six different players scored for USA; 5 of the 6 goal-scorers
have pro experience, so the pros played a big hand in this win.
 
USA's power play took a while to get on track - it was 1-7 for the game - and
seemed pretty unimaginative most of the game.  Shawn McEachern continues to
struggle although he had a couple of good rushes late in the game but could
not put them away.
 
David Emma missed the game with some sort of rib injury but is expected back
soon.  All 7 Ds were used by Dave Peterson.
 
A pregame interview with Peterson was interesting - he actually seemed like
a nice guy. :-)
 
USA plays again Tuesday at 11:15 am EST against Germany.  USA has now won 7
of its last 8 games.  I don't think this game is being shown live by anyone.
Check local radio for coverage.  The Finland game Thursday afternoon at 2:15
or 3:15 (depending where you look) may be live on TNT (cable).
 
Other scores from Pool A today were Sweden 7, Poland 2; Finland 5, Germany 1.
No upsets in the first set of games from either pool.  Sweden, Finland and
USA are all 1-0-0 in Pool A, and Canada, Czechoslovakia and the Unified Team
are all 1-0-0 in Pool B.
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Mike Machnik    [log in to unmask]   mikem@{beanpot,bubba}.ma30.bull.com