AHL Providence Bruins

Team U.S.A. defeats Russia at World Championships

May 1, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Providence Bruins News Release


The second day of Qualifying Round action at the International Ice Hockey Federation's 2004 World Championships took place on Saturday in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic. All 11 former Providence Bruins players who are in the tournament are playing in the Qualifying Round. The World Championships, which began on April 24, conclude on May 9. The Qualifying Round concludes on Tuesday, May 4. The Final Round begins the next day and concludes with the Championship Game on Sunday, May 9.

Team U.S.A. played its first game of the Qualifying Round on Saturday, scoring two third period goals in a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Russia. Dustin Brown and Ryan Malone scored for the U.S., before Chris Drury scored the game-winner on a shorthanded tally late in the third period. Ty Conklin made 33 saves for the win. The U.S. is coached by former Providence Bruins defenseman and head coach Peter Laviolette. Former P-Bruins Andy Hilbert, Hal Gill and Jeff Jillson are on the playing roster.

The U.S., which is 2-1-1 overall in the tournament, takes on unbeaten Sweden (3-0-1) on Sunday, before ending the Qualifying Round against Denmark on Tuesday.

In other Qualifying Round action, Latvia battled Switzerland to a 1-1 deadlock, with original P-Bruin Grigori Panteleev scoring for the Latvians. Joining Panteleev is former P-Bruins teammate Sergei Zholtok and Aigar Cipruss, who played for Providence during the 1995-96 season. The Latvians have only one game remaining in the Qualifying Round, against Austria on Monday, and with their 1-2-2 record, will need to win that game to even have a chance at reaching the Final Round.

Finland unloaded on Denmark, winning 6-0 while outshooting the Danes, 41-17. Former P-Bruin Antti Laaksonen, a member of the Bruins' 1999 Calder Cup championship team, scored a goal in the game, and has 1-2-3 totals in five games in the tournament. Finland is 3-1-1, and has one game remaining, against Russia on Monday. The Finns are close to securing a spot in the Final Round.

The Qualifying Round features two groups of six countries. Group E is made up of the Czech Republic, Latvia, Germany, Canada, Austria and Switzerland. Group F is comprised of the U.S., Finland, Slovakia, Sweden, Russia and Denmark. Each country will play three games in the Qualifying Round to try to advance on to the Final Round. The top four teams in each group will advance on to the Final Round.

Information on Providence Bruins season ticket packages for the 2004-05 season is available online at www.providencebruins.com, and can also be obtained by calling the P-Bruins ticket office at (401) 273-5000.

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