Team USA overcame a 2-0 deficit Tuesday against the previously undefeated Czech Republic to force a tie on second- and third-period goals before Andy Roach's shootout goal stood up to stun the host nation in a 3-2 shootout win in front of 17,360 at Prague's Sazka Arena. With its win, the U.S. advances, for the first time since 2001, to the IIHF World Championship's Semifinal Round. Team USA next plays on Saturday at 2:15 p.m. EDT vs. Sweden, which beat Team USA last Sunday in Quarterfinal Round play.

We are down to the final four. Canada also won in overtime.

Team Canada will face Slovakia in Saturday's semifinals (TSN, 10:15 a.m. EDT) after the Slovaks dumped Switzerland 3-1 in the other quarter-final Thursday. Sweden takes on the U.S. in the other semifinal.

Could be a USA-Canada final!! USA . . .USA. . . USA

USA Hockey has announced the TV schedule for the semi-finals and finals. Even though it is on tape delay, it is better than nothing. It is not like the local media is going to broadcast the results and I will know who won before the game starts. GO USA!!



2004 IIHF World Championship - ESPN2 to televise

May 7, 2004

ESPN2 To Televise U.S. Men's National Team's Semifinal Game Tomorrow And Possibly Medal Game On Sunday

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- USA Hockey today announced that the 2004 United States Men's National Team's Semifinal Round game tomorrow, and possibly its Medal-Round game on Sunday, will be televised nationally on ESPN2 on a same-day tape-delay basis from the 2004 International Ice Hockey Men's World Championship in Prague, Czech Republic.

Tomorrow's game between the U.S. and Sweden will be televised on ESPN2 at 6:00 p.m. EDT (2:15 p.m. EDT live start). If the U.S. wins and advances to the gold-medal game on Sunday, ESPN2 will televise the contest on tape-delay at 7:00 p.m. EDT (2:15 p.m. EDT live start). If the U.S. and Canada both meet-up in the bronze-medal game on Sunday, the game will be televised via tape-delay at 7:00 p.m. (10:15 a.m. EDT live start). If the U.S. faces Slovakia in the bronze-medal game, it will not be televised.

On Wednesday the U.S. defeated host Czech Republic in a 3-2 thriller that went to a shootout following overtime. It was just the second time since 1996 that the U.S. has advanced to the Semifinal Round of the IIHF Men's World Championship. Earlier in the tournament the United States qualified for an automatic berth in the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy.


* * * Team USA Tape-Delay Television Schedule * * *

Date/Time Game Carrier
Sat., May 8
6:00 p.m. EDT USA vs. Sweden (semifinals) ESPN2
Sun., May 9
7:00 p.m. EDT USA vs. Canada/Slovakia (gold-medal)* ESPN2
Sun., May 9
7:00 p.m. EDT USA vs. Canada (bronze-medal)** ESPN2

* if U.S. advances to gold-medal game against either Canada or Slovakia
** if U.S. faces Canada in bronze-medal game (if U.S. faces Slovakia in bronze-medal game, it will not be televised)

I took my 16 year old to see Canada vs Czech Republic at Salt Lake City...what an awesome time. Excellent game, tied thank goodness, we couldn't decide who we liked best....great players on each side. Figured it would be the last great mom and son trip before I became totally uncool. Now the 9 year old wants to see USA vs Russia...thanks to Miracle...another memory on the way.