LA JOLLA, Calif. – June 14 – The U.S. Men’s National Team suffered a close 20-19 shootout loss to Montenegro tonight in front of a sellout crowd at the University of California, San Diego. Five-time Olympian Jesse Smith served as captain throughout the game and played a few minutes amid raucous cheers before being substituted. The game itself was split between offense and defense, ending with a block by Montenegro’s Dejan Lazovic after nine rounds of the shootout. Ryder Dodd To ensure victory. Johnny Hooper and Max Irving He led Team USA with four goals in regulation time and in the shootout. Adrian Weinberg West Temkin played the majority of the game and recorded seven saves, including a block in the shootout. West Temkin made his senior varsity debut, appearing in the third quarter and the shootout. Team USA will be in action again on June 26th, kicking off a three-game series against Spain at 7pm PST in Mount Sac. Tickets for the series against Spain are on sale and can be purchased by clicking here. The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU and streamed on ESPN+.
The Americans responded to Montenegro’s opening goal with four straight points to get off to a strong start. Irving, Alex Bowen, Chase Dodd and Ryder DoddMontenegro fought back, tying the score at 4-4 early in the second quarter and then taking a 6-4 lead shortly after. Dylan Woodhead The goal in the final seconds of the game halted the Americans’ momentum and halted a 5-0 scoring streak by the visitors. Woodhead scored on a power play late in the game to send the game tied at 6-6 going into halftime.
Alex Aubert gave the U.S. a 7-6 lead early in the third quarter. Montenegro fought back again, scoring four straight points to take a 10-7 lead with 2 minutes and 5 seconds left in the third quarter. The teams traded points from then on, with Montenegro leading 11-8 going into the fourth quarter. The U.S. tried to close the gap to three points early in the fourth quarter, but Montenegro held firm. With 3 minutes and 7 seconds left in the game, Luca Cupid A power play strike put them within one point, 13-12. Max Irving The game was tied after the U.S. scored five penalty shots in regulation time. Montenegro quickly took a one-point lead, but Irving calmly scored another shot from the five-meter line to make it 14-14. Both teams had chances in the final seconds, but regulation was tied, so after some deliberation, the coaches agreed to a shootout.
Montenegro took an early lead, followed by a great block from Dejan Lazovic. The Americans fought back soon after. Adrian Weinberg I picked up the next stop Johnny Hooper The goal was scored, the score was 15-15. Both teams traded goals and misses, and the score was finally tied after five shots each. From there, it went into the singles round, where Vasilije Radovic scored the winning goal, followed by Lazovic making the game-deciding save.
Scoring – Box Score
USA 19 (4, 2, 2, 6) (5) J. Hooper 4, M. Irving 4, A. Bowen 3, H. Dove 2, D. Woodhead 2, R. Dodd 1, L. Cupid 1, A. Obert 1, C. Dodd 1
MNE 20 (3, 3, 5, 3) (6) V. Popadić 4, S. Vidović 3, K. Avelka 2, D. Matković 2, V. Radović 2, A. Kolac 2, J. Vujović 1, B. Djurgic 1, D. Obradović 1
Save – USA – A. Weinberg 7, W. Temkin 1 – MNE – D. Lazovic 15
6×5 – USA – 6/14 – MNE – 8/10
Penalties Regulation – USA – 5/5 – MNE – 0/0 – Shootout – USA – 5/9 – MNE – 6/9
