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Providence Bruins

Team U.S.A. falls in tough battle with Sweden

May 3, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Providence Bruins News Release


The Qualifying Round of the International Ice Hockey Federation's 2004 World Championships continued on Sunday 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, concludes on May 9. The Qualifying Round concludes on Tuesday. The Final Round begins on Wednesday and concludes with the Championship Game on Sunday, May 9.

Team U.S.A. fell to Sweden, 3-1 on Sunday in a hard-fought game. Bates Battaglia scored for the U.S., while Mike Dunham made 37 saves in net. Boston Bruins forward Michael Nylander sealed the win for Sweden with an empty net goal in the final minute of the third period. 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 all on the playing roster. In addition to Nylander, Boston Bruins forward P.J. Axelsson is also playing for Sweden.

Despite the loss, the U.S., which is 2-2-1 overall in the tournament, still stands a good chance at making it to the Final Round. A win in the Stars and Stripes' final Qualifying Round game on Tuesday against Denmark will secure that berth. A loss by Russia to Finland on Monday will also put the U.S. in the Final Round.

In other Qualifying Round action, Slovakia maintained its tie with Sweden for the top spot in Group F with its 8-0 rout of Denmark. Jozef Stumpel, a member of the P-Bruins' 1992-93 inaugural team, tallied a goal and an assist in the win. Both Slovakia and Sweden are 4-0-1 in the tournament.

Canada rolled past Germany, 6-1 on Sunday, cementing a spot in the Final Round. Original P-Bruin Glen Murray notched an assist in the game. Murray's Boston Bruins teammate Patrice Bergeron is playing for Canada, as is former P-Bruin defenseman Steve Staios. Canada is 4-0-1 in the tournament.

The Czech Republic maintained its perfect record following its 3-1 victory over Switzerland. The Czechs, who are 5-0-0, have Boston Bruins defenseman Jiri Slegr on the roster.

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 plays 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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