Kudos to Jan Mursak. The former Griffins forward and Red Wings prospect scored 2 goals against Team USA on Wednesday morning, propelling Slovenia to a 3-2 OT win over the Americans. The Detroit News’s Gregg Krupa took note of Mursak’s accomplishment:
“I’m happy I was able to score today and help the team,” Mursak said after the game, according to the International Ice Hockey Federation. “But I think the whole team showed a really good performance today.”
He played 232 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins from 2008-13, and 46 with the Wings from 2010-13, before beginning to play in Russia for Moscow of the KHL
For the United States, the loss represented a huge stumble out of the gate in the first quadrennial Olympic tournament played without NHL players since 1994.
Tony Granato, a former assistant coach of the Red Wings, who is how head coach at Wisconsin, and Chris Chelios, who is currently an assistant coach in Detroit, are two of the United States coaches.
“I thought we played two great periods,” Granato said, according to USA Hockey. “We were on our heels in the third at times and they took advantage. Give them credit. All-in-all, I liked the way we played. We’ve got a terrific group and we’ll be ready to play Slovakia.”
Krupa continues, and Mursak isn’t tearing up the KHL, so he’s not exactly NHL-ready…
Didn’t roll four lines when dominating the game and put out a questionable trio to start OT against the best Slovenia had to offer. C’mon, Tony, you’re a better coach than that!