KINGSTON, R.I. – Feb. 25, 2009 – The U.S. University Select Hockey Team posted a thrilling 5-4, overtime victory Sunday night against Slovakia in its second game of the Winter World University Games in Harbin China.
In the big win over Slovakia, the Americans nailed the win after scoring the winning goal in a 13-round shootout. That gave the team, which is coached by URI men’s head coach Joe Augustine of North Scituate, a 2-0 start in the tournament. However, the U.S. then lost 8-0 to Russia on Monday and 6-3 to Japan today to finish the Preliminary Round with a 2-2 mark.
URI sophomore Kyle Krannich from Randolph, N.J. scored Team USA’s first goal in the loss to Japan. Krannich has one goal and one assist thus far for Team USA, while fellow Ram Devin Sheehan, a sophomore from Randolph, N.J. has one goal and Dan Lassik, a freshman defenseman from Garnet Valley, Pa. has one assist. Also representing URI along with Augustine, Krannich, Sheehan and Lassik is Ram senior defenseman Jon Biliouris of North Smithfield.
Team USA finished the Preliminary Round in fourth place in Group B of the Games. Though it is no longer in medal contention, Team USA will play a consolation game against host China – the fourth-place finisher in Group A – on Thursday. China posted a 1-2 record in pool play, beating Great Britain 7-3, but getting shut out by Kazakhstan, 10-0, and the Czech Republic, 14-0.