GANGNEUNG, South Korea — After several tries winning the long and hard way, the United States took the straightforward path to a Youth Olympic gold medal on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at the Gangneung Hockey Centre.
In the only one of their four games at the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics that did not require a shootout, Team USA defeated Czechia 4-0, making Hermantown’s A.J. Francisco and Superior’s Jackson Marthaler gold medalists.
“Extremely proud of the team, staff, and all the coaches for giving their heart and soul to this project,” said Joe Bonnett, head coach of the U.S. Youth Olympic men’s team in a news release from USA Hockey. “We came out with a strong effort against a really good Czech team and were able to accomplish what we came here to do, which was win the gold medal. This group of young men is an indication of a bright future for USA Hockey.”
The United States has reached the gold-medal game in three consecutive Youth Olympics, losing 4-0 to Russia in Lausanne, Switzerland in 2020 and defeating Canada 5-2 in Lillehammer, Norway in 2016.
Francisco took a significant role in the Americans’ first goal of the game, which came 64 seconds into their first power play of the evening. Mikey Berchild scored it, with Francisco drawing a primary assist by feeding the Shattuck-St. Mary’s player for a one-timer.
J.P. Hurlbert added to the American lead with an even-strength goal 6:04 into the second period.
However, it wasn’t until very late that the U.S. could start celebrating, considering the Czechs rallied from 4-1 and 5-3 down to get to a shootout they won when the teams met on Monday in their final preliminary round game.
Berchild scored his second goal of the game with 4:51 to play, then added a third point when he assisted Zane Torre’s power-play goal with 1:35 left.
Goaltender Xavier Wendt earned the shutout with 29 saves.
Over the four games, Francisco finished with three assists and a goal in the shootout of Team USA’s opening game against Slovakia, while Marthaler had two assists.
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