Liles, Team USA Finish Fourth at WC
Defenseman Ends Tournament as Team's Top Point-Getter
Sunday, 05.10.2009 / 5:36 PM
/ Features
By Aaron Lopez
- Special to ColoradoAvalanche.com
Print
Avalanche blueliner John-Michael Liles and Team USA claimed a fourth-place finish at the 2009 IIHF Men’s World Championship following a 4-2 loss to Sweden in Sunday’s bronze-medal game.
With the loss, Team USA was denied its first medal at the event since 2004.
Liles assisted on a Jack Johnson power-play tally in the second period that gave the United States a 1-0 lead in Sunday’s contest. Joe Pavelski also scored for the U.S., but Team Sweden recorded three power-play goals and added an empty-netter with one second remaining to claim the bronze medal.
Liles finished the tournament as Team USA’s leading scorer with nine points (1g/8a) in nine games. His point total also placed him second among all tournament defensemen, trailing only Canada’s Shea Weber (4g/8a).
The Indianapolis native posted a +3 plus/minus rating to tie for second on the team, while his average ice time of 18:31 ranked fourth.
Team Russia captured the gold medal for the second consecutive year by defeating Canada, 2-1, on Sunday.
With the loss, Team USA was denied its first medal at the event since 2004.
Liles assisted on a Jack Johnson power-play tally in the second period that gave the United States a 1-0 lead in Sunday’s contest. Joe Pavelski also scored for the U.S., but Team Sweden recorded three power-play goals and added an empty-netter with one second remaining to claim the bronze medal.
Liles finished the tournament as Team USA’s leading scorer with nine points (1g/8a) in nine games. His point total also placed him second among all tournament defensemen, trailing only Canada’s Shea Weber (4g/8a).
The Indianapolis native posted a +3 plus/minus rating to tie for second on the team, while his average ice time of 18:31 ranked fourth.
Team Russia captured the gold medal for the second consecutive year by defeating Canada, 2-1, on Sunday.
