USHL News

February 26, 2010

USHL alumni Joe Pavelski and Ryan Malone celebrate a goal in the 6-1 victory over Finland in the Olympic hockey semifinals. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

USA to Play for Gold

U.S. squad advances to gold medal game with 6-1 victory over Finland

The U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey Team scored six goals in the first period cruising to a 6-1 victory over Finland and will now play for the gold medal on Sunday. 

Ryan Malone got the U.S. squad on the board just over two minutes into the contest with his third goal of the Olympics and later added an assist.  Paul Stastny netted his first goal in the tournament and dished out an assist on the game-winning goal.

Brian Rafalski collected two assists and leads Team USA with eight points (4g, 4a) over five contests in the Olympics.  Joe Pavelski registered an assist for his third point (3a) in five games.

USHL Olympians:

Malone scored 36 points (14g, 22a) in 51 games during the 1998-99 season for the Omaha Lancers. 

Rafalski (Detroit Red Wings) was All-USHL First Team during the 1990-91 season scoring 23 points (12g, 11a) in 47 games for the Madison Capitols.

Stastny (Colorado Avalanche) played two USHL seasons (2002-04) with the Omaha Lancers and was named All-USHL First Team after scoring 77 points (30g, 47a) in 56 games during the 2003-04 campaign.

Pavelski spent two seasons (2002-04) in the USHL with the Waterloo Black Hawks and was named All-USHL First Team after totaling 69 points (36g, 33a) while playing all 60 games during the 2002-03 season.

David Backes (St. Louis Blues) spent two seasons (2001-03) in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars and was named All-USHL First Team after scoring 69 points (28g, 41a) in 57 games during the 2002-03 season. 

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrates its eighth season as the nation's only Tier 1 junior hockey league in 2009-10.  With over 200 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools and 13 NHL Entry Draft picks currently on League rosters, the USHL is the nation's foremost producer of junior hockey talent.  For more information, visit us on the web at www.USHL.com.