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New York Islanders Players Cutting Lose at IIHF Championship

Mar 23, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (29) celebrates with defenseman Calvin de Haan (44) and center Anders Lee (27) his goal against the Ottawa Senators during the second period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (29) celebrates with defenseman Calvin de Haan (44) and center Anders Lee (27) his goal against the Ottawa Senators during the second period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a 1-0 loss to Team Germany, New York Islanders Brock Nelson and Anders Lee exploded against Danish. Thankfully. Cause a video of them released just before the game having fun wouldn’t have had the best optics.

The USA seniors hockey program haven’t won a competitive game since last May. Thanks to New York Islanders Anders Lee and Brock Nelson the USA beat Team Denmark by a healthy 7-2 margin. The pair netted three goals in Team USA’s rout.

To be fair the Danish aren’t a power in the Ice Hockey world. Sure, they have Nikolas Ehlers on the team, who had a fine season in Winnipeg. But he took a ten-minute misconduct penalty for a cross check to the head at the end of the first period.

So even if a single player can make a team – they can’t, this isn’t basketball – he was off the ice for most of the game, rendering him useless.

The win is a great relief for the US Hockey Program after the debacle at the World Cup of Hockey where they didn’t win a single match. Losing to Germany in the opening fixture of the US’ campaign was a significant blow and a continuation of hard times.

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Just before the match the USA program tweeted this “Quick Shift” video with Brock Nelson asking Anders Lee some stock questions. Like pre and post game meal, pre-game music, etc…

The video is incredibly awkward. Both seemingly want to have fun with something that’s clearly a fluff piece for the program but media training kicks in and kills all that nonsense.

But if anything the optics weren’t great. The US were already a game down in the tournament after losing to a growing German program and two veteran NHL players were just goofing around.

Thankfully they responded to that simple yet pointed request. So no harm no foul. Unless you watch the video. Honestly, it’s painfully awkward.

Next: Isles Current Draftees v. Playing Elsewhere

The US’ next game is against a 1-0-1 Team Sweden on Monday May eighth at 2:15PM eastern standard time.

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