USA wins big at world championships

[TimmyTabasco]

Mike Knuble scored twice and Rick DiPietro made 15 saves for the shutout as the United States coasted to a 7-0 victory over Slovenia at the world hockey championship Sunday.

Knuble opened the scoring just 31 seconds into the contest, converting Erik Cole's cross-ice feed on a 2-on-1, as the U.S. controlled the match from start to finish.

DiPietro had little to do in goal and was rarely tested while Slovenian netminder Robert Kristan was bombarded with 38 shots, several of them coming during odd-man rushes.

Elsewhere at the world championship Sunday, it was: Czech Republic 3, Switzerland 1; Sweden 3, Ukraine 2; and Kazakhstan 2, Germany 1.

At Innsbruck, Austria, Adam Hall, Mark Parrish, Jeff Halpern, Brian Gionta and Yan Stastny, the son of former Quebec Nordiques great Peter Stastny, also scored for the United States.

Impressive win :D

[Mel]

DiPietro only made 15 saves? sounds like an easy win.... but I'll take it. good start for our boys. Hopefully they'll at least make some noise even if they don't win. :thumb:

[Asterix]

I think they have a good chance at winning it all. I also think that it's wide open this year, since Canada certainly doesn't have its best team out there... but neither do other powerhouses. :slant:

[TimmyTabasco]

Knuble had a good year in europe, playing with Morrison

So it doesn't come as a surprise that he will be a big factor

Isn't he canadian? TSN lists him as being born in Toronto

[J.R.]

No surprise at this outcome. It was over just minutes into the game.

Canada better have a similar outing on Tuesday against these Slovenians.

[Canucklehead]

Ouch! The US better not look too good. I have them finishing pretty low :doh:

[PDO]

I think they have a good chance at winning it all. I also think that it's wide open this year, since Canada certainly doesn't have its best team out there... but neither do other powerhouses. :slant:

Czech Republic does.. almost identicle to the WC squad. Hemsky is there instead of Havlat because he out played Havlat.. and yes as an Oiler fan that has me beaming :D

[Mel]

Knuble had a good year in europe, playing with Morrison

So it doesn't come as a surprise that he will be a big factor

Isn't he canadian? TSN lists him as being born in Toronto

Knuble was born in Toronto but moved to the U.S. as a kid. He played at and American high school in Michigan before playing a bit of juniors then moving on to play four years at the University of Michigan.

He has represented the U.S. at the World Championships several times before (95 and 99).