Team USA tops Czech Republic to open Five Nations

By Stefan Kubus –

It’s a tournament that not only showcases the best upcoming talent in the world from the United States, Russia, Finland, Sweden and the Czech Republic, but also one that the United States National Under-18 Team has come to call its own, winning the last four years in a row. And Team USA could not have asked for a better start to the 2012 Five Nations Tournament.

Led by a local hometown talent, the U.S. blew by the competition in Thursday’s opener in Finland, with a 5-2 rout over the Czech Republic.

Livonia native Riley Barber opened the scoring not once, not twice, but in all three periods for a hat-trick to pace the U.S. all night long. The University of Miami recruit didn’t waste much time lighting the lamp, either.

Jacob Trouba of Rochester helped set up Barber’s first goal, just 6:47 into the first period. The second of the trio came a mere 2:55 into the second period on the power play, and the third came just 3:02 into the final frame to complete the hat trick.

Head coach Danton Cole, a Michigan native himself and former standout player at Michigan State University, was proud of the way his team kicked things off.

“The guys came out strong and earned this victory,” said Cole, the Pontiac native who enjoyed a 318-game career in the NHL during the ’90’s, via a USA Hockey press release. “We have to come out with the same hard-working attitude tomorrow against a talented Swedish team.”

The Czech Republic had no answer for the U.S. at any point in the game, as the Americans outshot the Czechs 45-18.

Both of the Czech Republic tallies came with the man advantage, something the U.S. will certainly look to limit Friday against Sweden. The U.S. went 2-for-6 on the power play, with Barber’s hat trick goal being one of those two.

Puck drop for Friday’s contest between the U.S. and Sweden at Panella Arena in Finland is set for 12:30 p.m. EST.