IIHF World Championships 2012 - Team USA Preview

After a disappointing Quarterfinals 4-0 loss and exit last season against the Czech, and a 8th place finish, USA returns with a vengeance. Team USA has been placed in Group H (Helsinki) for the preliminary rounds this year. Others in the group include Belarus, Canada, Finland, France, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, and Slovakia. This is a very strong group, arguably even stronger than the other group (on paper). Team USA is facing France first tomorrow, (Friday, May 4th) at 12:15. The rest of their schedule for the preliminary rounds are:

Satrurday, May 5th at 7:00 vs Canada

Monday, May 7th at 8:15 vs Slovakia

Thursday May 10th at 4:15 vs Belarus

Friday, May 11th at 4:15 vs Kazakhstan

Sunday, May 13th at 4:15 vs Finland

Tuesday, May 15th at 8:15 vs Switzerland

Team USA has only 2 returning players this year in Jack Johnson and Cam Fowler, as well they have their coach, Scott Gordon returning. Jack Johnson scored 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points with 8 penalty minutes, a +/- rating of -4 and 20 shots on goal in 7 games last year. Cam Fowler also scored 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points last year, but had 2 penalty minutes, a +/- rating of -3, 1 power-play goal and 11 shots on goal in 7 games. Here is Team USA's Roster this year along with the player's club:

Coach: Scott Gordon

Forwards:

Justin Abdelkader (Detroit Red Wings)

Cam Atkinson (Columbus Blue Jackets)

J.T. Brown (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Joey Crabb (Toronto Maple Leafs)

Patrick Dwyer (Carolina Hurricanes)

Ryan Lasch (Pelicans Lahti)

Kyle Okposo (New York Islanders)

Max Pacioretty (Montreal Canadiens)

Kyle Palmieri (Anaheim Ducks)

Bobby Ryan (Anaheim Ducks)

Jim Slater (Winnipeg Jets)

Paul Stastny (Colorado Avalanche)

Nate Thompson (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Defense:

Justin Braun (San Jose Sharks)

Chris Butler (Calgary Flames)

Justin Faulk (Carolina Hurricanes)

Cam Fowler (Anaheim Ducks)

Alex Goligoski (Dallas Stars)

Jack Johnson (Columbus Blue Jackets) 'C'

Jeff Petry (Edmonton Oilers)

Goaltenders:

Richard Bachman (Dallas Stars)

Jimmy Howard (Detroit Red Wings)

John Curry (Hamburg Freezers)

My Prediction: USA will finish 3rd or 4th in their division for the preliminary rounds