After Team USA’s 5-1 loss to Finland in the final exhibition game before the World Junior Championship, UND freshman forward Rocco Grimaldi posted on Twitter: “I was the worst player on the ice today. I did absolutely nothing and that is unacceptable. That CAN NOT and WILL NOT happen again.”
Even so, he will be on this year’s World Junior team as expected.
USA Hockey announced two cuts at 2 a.m. this morning — forward Stefan Matteau and defenseman Brady Skjei — and all that’s left is one more defensive cut (the U.S. is unsure yet if Connor Murphy will be able to go because of an injury situation).
Grimaldi has been playing right wing on the top line along with J.T. Miller and Boston College’s Johnny Gaudreau.
Team USA’s first game is 8 a.m. Thursday against Germany.
Now THAT will be a line with some potent speed/skill….
It could not have been easy for a gophers coach to cut his own player, but shows they want to win.
I would highly doubt that Potulny has a say in player cuts. But congrats for pointing that out.
Grimaldi is something special….
Replay showed Grimaldi actually scored in the Finland game. He blasted a slap shot off a rebound during a PP. The shot was so hard it hit the back iron and came out like it had hit the cross bar. Exhibition games have no video review of plays so the goal was not reviewed.
I thought he looked really good on the ice. Part of me (selfish) would have had hoped he got cut to rest up for the second half of the Sioux season but he is one of the best players on the ice! Go USA
It seems Rocco is a little too hard on himself — would be good if he could lighten up… life is short! Good luck to Team USA!
Did Rocco choose 23 to recognize Ralph Engelstad, was it assigned,or another reason?
He’s always used that number (until he got here).