February 21, 2010
USHL alum Brian Rafalski celebrates after one of his two goals in the 5-3 win over Canada on Sunday in the Olympics. (Photo by Luis Acosta/AFP/Getty Images)
Brian Rafalski scored two goals in the first period to lead the U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey Team to a 5-3 victory over Canada on Sunday in Vancouver.
Rafalski, who scored his first goal just 41 seconds into the contest, is now tied for the scoring lead among all players with five points (4g, 1a) during the Olympics. The Detroit Red Wings defenseman was All-USHL First Team during the 1990-91 season after scoring 23 points (12g, 11a) in 47 games for the Madison Capitols.
It was the first loss of the Olympics for Canada and the first time in 50 years that the U.S. defeated Canada in Olympic competition. As winners of Group A with a perfect 3-0-0 record, Team USA now receives a bye and moves on to the quarter-final round.
Four other USHL alumni are competing on the U.S. squad:
David Backes (St. Louis Blues) added an assist in the 5-3 victory over Canada, his third straight game in the Olympics with a point. 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.
Ryan Malone (Tampa Bay Lightning) scored 36 points (14g, 22a) in 51 games during the 1998-99 season for the Omaha Lancers.
Joe Pavelski (San Jose Sharks) 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.
Paul Stastny (Colorado Avalanche) also 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.
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrates its 31st season of elite junior hockey 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.
It’s not just hockey. It’s the USHL.
