TURIN, Italy -- A late push by the United States wasn't enough to pull them even with Slovakia as they fell to the Slovaks, 2-1, in a preliminary round matchup.
After a scoreless first period, Marian Hossa (Atlanta Thrashers) scored a power play goal in the second to open the game's scoring. Hossa broke away from Brian Rolston (Minnesota Wild) and stepped into the right circle, where he fired a quick shot past Rick DiPietro (New York Islanders).
Team USA tied the game with a power play goal of their own just minutes later, when Rolston ripped a long shot past Peter Budaj (Colorado Avalanche).
Peter Bondra (Thrashers) scored the game's final goal in the third period, taking a pass in the slot from behind the net by Mirsoslav Satan (Islanders) and banging it by DiPietro before the American defenders could collapse onto him.
Slovakia moved to 3-0 with the win, locking up their spot in the medal round, while the United States dropped to 1-1-1.
The Americans will need to earn a win over Russia or Sweden to have chance of advancing to the medal round.
This is the first Olympic game I've been able to see this year and I'm amazed by how fast the play has been. Great stuff.
Marian Hossa's goal came on a great quick shot. The Americans are going to need to bounce back quickly, Budaj is getting more confident as the game goes on.
And Brian Rolston comes up big with a HUGE shot. Powerplay goal, we're tied back up.
I'll be damned if the Slovaks haven't gotten help from the posts today. "A game of inches" indeed.
Remember Schneider's blocked shot if the Americans can come back in the final minutes here.
Oh man, another great play by Schneider blown when the linesman forgets to remove his head from his ass.
Slovakia remains unbeaten with the US unable to get set up after pulling DiPietro.
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