USA lose to Norway at the World Floorball Championships despite valiant effort

In the first playoff game for Team USA at the WFC they face off against Norway. Norway came in 5th place at the WFC in Zurich in 2012. As USA came in 12th place at the same event the odds where stacked high in Norway's favor.

The US team embraced the underdog status and where ready for the game to come. Norway played with high speed and the US players had to play a tight and tough defense. Many shots where blocked and passes broken but the backbone of the defense this game was goaltender Keven Glanzmann. Glanzmann made several spectacular saves during the game.

Although Norway was clearly the aggressor the US had a number of shots during the first period. Unfortunately with just over two minutes left of the period the Norwegians where able to score. This was followed by another goal not long before the buzzer sounded to end the first period, 0-2 after one.

The second period only saw one goal, by the Norwegians. The US kept fighting hard and putting in an amazing effort.

The Norwegian's started the third period with a power play and where able to make it 0-4. But the US team never stops coming at you.

After 6:27 of the third Ryan Winkler gets a chance and shoots through the legs of a Norwegian defender making it 1-4. A few minuter later with the US on a power play Jesse Andersson gets a shot from half court and makes it 2-4. At this point the Norwegians take a timeout and are clearly shaken.

Just as the game is starting to turn and Team USA gets a power play the Norwegians are able to get a shorthanded breakaway and make it 2-5. 2-6 to Norway come on the power play. The US team makes a valiant final effort but the game ends 2-6 to Norway.

Game statistics can be found here. Highlights can be found bellow.

The next game for Team USA will be tomorrow Thursday at 13:30 CET  against Germany and can be seen live here.

Photos by Henrik Kok