Paris, France - August 11 - The U.S. Men's Olympic Team won their first medal since 2008, claiming Bronze in a thrilling shootout win over Hungary 11-8. Down two in the fourth quarter, the United States battled back to for a tie in regulation, sending the match to a shootout. In the shootout the United States dominated.
Hannes Daube,
Max Irving and
Alex Bowen all hit their shots to start for Team USA. Meanwhile, Hungary went off the bar in two of their shots and saw
Adrian Weinberg block a third, part of a massive day for Weinberg that witnessed the Olympic rookie pile up 16 saves.
Ben Hallock scored two goals to lead a balanced attack on offense. The win marks the fourth bronze medal in program history, joining 1924 (Paris), 1932 and 1972.
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Johnny Hooper, back from a one-game suspension, made an immediate impact in this one scoring to open the festivities giving Team USA a 1-0 lead on the power play goal. Hungary answered moments later on a power play of their own for a 1-1 match. With 4:32 left
Chase Dodd got free inside and had his shot blocked, he battled for the ball and was able to bury a second chance try for a 2-1 lead. Hungary tied the match with :36 left in the period but Hallock had the final word, snagging a pass to the post and hammering the ball for a 3-2 lead after one.
Both offenses were quiet in the first half of the second quarter until
Luca Cupido drilled a power play goal for a 4-2 lead with 4:41 left. Hungary got one back a few minutes later and it was a 4-3 match going into halftime. Hungary made a surge in the third quarter, tying the game in the opening thirty seconds and then going in front at 5-4 with 5:02 to play in the period. Team USA answered right back with Hallock hitting his second goal followed by a
Max Irving score and it was quickly a 6-5 lead for the United States with 2:45 to play in the third. That would also be the margin as play moved to the fourth quarter.
Hungary made one final push in the fourth quarter as they took control scoring three straight goals in the opening 5:38 to tie the match and then go ahead 8-6. Once again, Team USA showed their resolve and began to chip away. With 2:59 to play
Alex Bowen converted on a power play and then exactly a minute later it was
Hannes Daube with the equalizer for an 8-8 match. Each team had chances over the final two minutes to go in front but time expired with the score knotted and the match moved to a shootout.
Hungary went bar out on their first and third shots while Weinberg denied the second. Bowen's goal in the third round of the shootout put the pressure on Hungary. After the miss, Team USA erupted in celebration.
The United States went 6/18 on power plays while Hungary went 6/12. Team USA didn't attempt a penalty in regulation and Hungary went 0/1.
Scoring -
Stats
USA 11 (3, 1, 2, 2) (3) B. Hallock 2, J. Hooper 1, H. Daube 1, L. Cupido 1, A. Bowen 1, C. Dodd 1, M. Irving 1
HUN 8 (2, 1, 2, 3) (0) D. Vargas 2, G. Zalanki 2, D. Angyal 1, K. Manhercz 1, A. Nagy 1, V. Vigvari 1
Saves - USA - A. Weinberg 16 - HUN - S. Vogel 7
6x5 - USA - 6/18 - HUN - 6/12
Penalties Regulation - USA - 0/0 - HUN - 0/1
Penalties Shootout - USA - 3/3 - HUN - 0/3
