February 28, 2010
USHL alumni Joe Pavelski, Ryan Malone, and Brian Rafalski helped lead the U.S. Hockey Team to a silver medal. (Getty Images photos)
The U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey Team earned the silver medal after falling to Canada 3-2 in overtime in the final game of the 2010 Vancouver Games.
After falling behind 2-0, Team USA battled back with a goal by Ryan Kesler and eventually tying the game late in the third period on a goal by Zach Parise with just 25 seconds remaining and the goaltender pulled in favor of the extra attacker. Parise is the son of Des Moines Buccaneers General Manager J.P. Parise.
It was an inspiring run by the U.S. squad as they entered the game as the only undefeated team in the tournament, including a victory over Canada in the preliminary round. Team USA earns a medal in men's Olympic hockey for the 11th time and the eighth time it has claimed silver.
Five USHL alumni competed for the U.S. squad at the Olympics:
Brian Rafalski (Detroit Red Wings) led Team USA in scoring and was tops among all Olympic defenseman with eight points (4g, 4a) in six games. He also ranked third overall with a plus-seven rating. He was named the best defenseman of the Olympics by the tournament directorate. Rafalski was All-USHL First Team during the 1990-91 season scoring 23 points (12g, 11a) in 47 games for the Madison Capitols.
Ryan Malone (Tampa Bay Lightning) had five points (3g, 2a) during the Olympics. He scored 36 points (14g, 22a) in 51 games during the 1998-99 season for the Omaha Lancers.
Paul Stastny (Colorado Avalanche) finished with three points (1g, 2a) for the U.S. squad. He 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.
Joe Pavelski dished out three assists during the Olympics and ranked third among all players with a 68.12 faceoff winning percentage in the tournament. He 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) chipped in three points (1g, 2a), including the game-winning goal in the opening victory vs. Switzerland, and registered a plus-four rating for Team USA. He 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.
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