Islanders Bellows and Team USA Drop Bronze Medal Game to Czechia

Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak and Czechia proved to be too much for New York Islanders and Team USA forward Kieffer Bellows in Czechia’s 8-4 win in the Bronze medal game of the IIHF World Championships.

Team USA took a 3-1 lead into the second period on the backs of the Seattle Kraken forward Karson Kuhlman’s multi-goal period and Ottawa Senators center Adam Gaudette's third tally. Jiří Smejkal if the Czech Professional League brought the game within a goal in the second period, but a breakout six-goal third period in favor of Czechia was too much for the USA to stave off. Pastrnak scored the first, third, and sixth goal for Czechia in the third period, all three goals assisted by San Jose Sharks forward, Tomas Hertl. 

Pastrnak’s hat-trick medaled Czechia's first IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship medal since they also won bronze in 2012. 

Bellows was a non-factor in the bronze medal game despite making an impact in the tournament. In 10 games, Bellows finished the tournament with three goals and five points. The 23-year-old Islander forward will now begin his off-ice off-season and work on his next contract with the Islanders as a restricted free agent. 

The Edina, Minnesota native played a career-high 45 games and tallied a career-high 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in his first full season at the NHL level in the 2021-22 season.  He'll look to solidify himself as an everyday NHLer whether it's with the Islanders, or somewhere else in the 2022-23 season.