Sean FarrellBen MeyersNick ShoreNathan SmithAndy MieleBrendan BrissonJake SandersonKenny AgostinoStrauss Mann

Miele’s Leadership Evident In Team USA’s 4-2 Win Vs. Canada In Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey

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by Scott Charles

Brendan Brisson reacts after scoring a goal in the second period during the Men's Ice Hockey Preliminary Round Group A match between Team Canada and Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 on Feb. 12, 2022 in Beijing, China. 

 

Team Captain Andy Miele led by example with a timely goal and a noteworthy assist, and the United States men’s hockey team defeated Canada 4-2 in its second game of the preliminary round at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. 
Miele scored a game-tying goal early in the first period to help settle down Team USA, and then set up Kenny Agostino in the third period to extend their lead to two goals. 

 

 


“He’s obviously a guy that these players and the staff have an awful amount of respect for,” coach David Quinn said of Miele. “He’s got a tenacity to him for a guy his size. With the talent he has and performs the way he does on the ice it really gives (us) leadership and a big boost.” 

 

Ben Meyers and Brendan Brisson also scored while Strauss Mann made 35 saves, including 17 in the third period and Team USA collected their second straight victory. The U.S. will have a chance to clinch the top spot in Group A Sunday.  

Mat Robinson and Corban Knight scored for Canada but the U.S. defeated its northern neighbor for the first time since a 5-3 victory in the preliminary round of the Olympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010. 

Mann allowed a soft goal 1:24 into the game but then denied Kent Johnson’s scoring chance from the slot to keep the deficit at one. Miele, named Team USA captain prior to the tournament, neatly roofed a backhand shot 70 seconds after Robinson’s opening goal to even the score at 1-1.

“There’s a lot of things that go wrong as a goalie and if you focus on those you are bound to let more happen,” Mann said. “But if you focus on the present moment and keep competing, a lot of good things will happen. I am proud of how I regrouped and stuck with it. I think that showed.” 

Mann would make another critical first-period save while the game was tied on Canadian forward Adam Tambellini to give the U.S. time to find its legs and turn up the pressure.

Agostino put the game out of reach when he blasted the puck past Canadian goalie Eddie Pasquale 7:34 into the third period. Miele’s willed the puck through the neutral zone before his pressure in the offensive zone led to a turnover prior to Agostino’s slap shot. 

 

 

The best stretch of play for the United States came in the latter half of the first period and opening minutes of the middle frame when they took a 3-1 lead and had a 16-1 shot advantage.

Meyers gave the U.S. a one-goal edge when Sean Farrell slid a puck to his teammate at 18:44 of the opening period. Defenseman Jake Sanderson, making his Olympic debut after landing in COVID-19 protocol prior to the team’s departure for Beijing, also assisted on the play. 

“I had to get acclimated quickly, but I am very happy I am here,” Sanderson said. “This is a once in lifetime opportunity, I just have to embrace it. … Getting the first game under me felt good.” 
Brisson would give the U.S. a two-goal advantage when a relentless forecheck led to a Canadian turnover once again. Nathan Smith forced Pasquale to misplay the puck behind the net and Nick Shore quickly found Brisson in the slot staring at an open cage. 

 

 


“He’s a special player, he’s got special abilities,” Quinn said of Brisson. “The things he is getting better at are the things everybody can do. That’s what talented players need to understand, if they can do things that everybody can do on top of the things people can’t do you have a chance to be a special player. I like the direction his game is going, I really do.” 


Both Brisson and Meyers also scored in the 8-0 win against China in the opening game. 


“That’s what we were looking forward to doing, match their pace and match their physicality. I think we did that well and that’s why we had so much success,” 20-year-old Matt Knies said. “It’s a pretty surreal stage. Obviously, a huge rivalry in hockey, to be on this side of it is definitely a good moment and something I am never going to forget.” 


The United States will look to remain perfect in the preliminary round and secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 when they play against Germany, Sunday, February 13th. Puck drop is set for 8:10 a.m. ET. 

Want to follow Team USA athletes during the Olympic Games Beijing 2022? Visit TeamUSA.org/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Games to view the competition schedule, medal table and results.

 

Scott Charles #

Scott Charles is a sportswriter whose work has been featured in the Associated Press, various NBC platforms and Yahoo! Sports among other places. He is a freelance contributor to TeamUSA.org and you can follow him on Twitter @ScottMCharles.

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