Slovakia beat the U.S. team 4-2 on Monday in the World Championships in Helsinki, Finland. The Slovaks took a 3-1 lead in the first period, scoring the eventual game-winner with six seconds left in the period.
Defenseman Justin Faulk, a former UMD player now with Carolina of the NHL, had the first U.S. goal. Ex-Gopher Kyle Okposo, now with the New York Islanders. had one of the assists.
The U.S. team hit three posts in the third period, trying to rally. Slovakia outshot the U.S. 32-20.
Next game for the U.S. team is Thursday versus Belarus. This was the Americans third game in four days. They were coming off a huge 5-4 victory over Canada in overtime. They are 2-1 in the tournament so far.
NORTH DAKOTA AWARDS
Sophomore forward Brock Nelson has been named North Dakota's MVP for this past season. He led the WCHA and was third nationally with 28 goals. Nelson, of Warroad, Minn., signed with the NHL's New York Islanders after the season. He also was the team's plus/minus award winner with a plus-17.
Other Fighting Sioux award winners:
Hard work, determination: Mario Lamoureux, sr., F
