Zagreb, Croatia - December 19 - The Team USA Men lost to Croatia 15-12 today in an exhibition match in Zagreb. Max Irving scored four times for the United States while Alex Bowen and Luca Cupido each added two for the Americans. Team USA will match up with Croatia for one more exhibition on Thursday.
In the opening quarter of the game, Croatia got on the board first from Luka Loncar before Bowen knotted things at one from the 5m line. Johnny Hooper put the United States on top and then Jerko Kragic netted a pair of goals to push Croatia in front. Ryder Dodd tied things up late in the quarter but Ante Vukicevic had an answer with 0:01 remaining to give the hosts a 4-3 lead after one. Tyler Abramson opened the second period with a goal and then Loren Fatovic responded to regain the lead. Midway through the second, Irving leveled the score on a penalty strike prior to Matias Biljaka and Fatovic giving the Croatians a two-goal edge. Irving and Quinn Woodhead both registered goals in the remainder of the first half to combat two from Kragic as the hosts led 9-7 at the halftime break.
In the third quarter, Kragic and Fatovic extended the lead to four after four minutes of play. With a competitive game hanging in the balance, Irving and Bowen showcased their scoring prowess for Team USA who entered the final frame down 11-9. Irving found the back of the cage again to start the fourth and the United States was down just one. From there, Rino Buric and Zvonimir Butic extended the Croatian lead back to three. In the final 4:36, the two sides traded two goals each. Cupido put home both scores for the Americans while Fatovic and Buric countered for the Croatians and the hosts took this exhibition contest, 15-12.
Scoring
USA 12 (3, 4, 2, 3) M. Irving 4, A. Bowen 2, L. Cupido 2, J. Hooper 1, Q. Woodhead 1, T. Abramson 1, R. Dodd 1
CRO 15 (4, 5, 2, 4) J. Kragic 5, L. Fatovic 4, R. Buric 2, Z. Butic 1, A. Vukicevic 1, M. Biljaka 1, L. Loncar 1
Penalties: USA 3/3, CRO 3/3
