February 24, 2010
Former USHL defenseman Brian Rafalski looks up ice during the 2-0 victory by the U.S. over Switzerland in Olympic quarterfinal action. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Zach Parise scored two goals and goaltender Ryan Miller made 19 saves as the U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey Team defeated Switzerland 2-0 and now advance to the semifinal round to face the winner of Czech Republic vs. Finland.
Brian Rafalski fired a shot from the point that was tipped in by Parise early in the third period to make the score 1-0. Paul Stastny collected an assist on the play. Parise, son of Des Moines Buccaneers General Manager J.P. Parise, added an empty goal late in the period to seal the victory.
Rafalski (Detroit Red Wings) leads Team USA with six points (4g, 2a) in four games during the Olympics. He 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.
David Backes (St. Louis Blues) had two shots on goal but was held without a point for the first time in four games with the U.S. squad. 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) and Joe Pavelski (San Jose Sharks) played on a line together and recorded a combined three shots on goal in the victory. Malone scored 36 points (14g, 22a) in 51 games during the 1998-99 season for the Omaha Lancers. 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.
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.
It’s not just hockey. It’s the USHL.
