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Nelson-Eichel-Lewis Line Finds Chemistry

05/11/2015, 3:45am EDT
By USA Hockey

Trio Combined for 3-4--7 vs. Slovenia Yesterday

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic -- Playing in their fourth game together at the 2015 IIHF World Championship, the line of Brock Nelson, Jack Eichel and Trevor Lewis put forth their best effort of the tournament, finding chemistry and
accounting for all three U.S. goals in Sunday's (May 10) 3-1 victory over
Slovenia.

Nelson, 23, tallied two goals and an assist, Lewis, 27, contributed
three assists and Eichel, 18, scored his first goal of the tournament.

For Nelson, who scored 20 goals for the New York Islanders this
season, his team-leading fifth and sixth goals of the championship tied
him atop the tournament goal scoring leaders.

"We created chances and just capitalized," Nelson said. "I was lucky
to be on the receiving end of a few and it's just nice to capitalize.
I think when you get a few early, you kind of breed chemistry and
confidence.

"It's worked for a few games now," Nelson said of the trio's chemistry.
"I don't know what the secret is, but I think we've clicked right from
the get-go."

Lewis, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Los Angeles Kings,
assisted on both of Nelson's first period goals, prior to starting the
play that led to Eichel's goal early in the third period. His five
assists in six games leads Team USA.

"We did a good job of getting it to the net tonight," Lewis said. "I
think all of our goals were created by going to the net and Brock was
really good around the net obviously."

"I think we've got some pretty good chemistry," Eichel said. "We
combine some hard work and grit with some skill. We just try to keep
things simple, get pucks to the net and it has been working for us."

U.S. National Team Head Coach Todd Richards said it wasn't an overly
calculated decision to put the three together, nevertheless it has
proved to be a smart decision helping the team to a 5-1 record with
one preliminary round game remaining.

"When you get into these tournaments a lot of times you're just
putting guys together and seeing what happens," said Richards, who is
coaching his first world championship team here in the Czech Republic.
"They've had success on the power play, five-on-five, they've been
able to contribute in the offensive zone and that's been big for our
team."

After many close calls over the past five games, Eichel scored his
first goal of the tournament at 1:09 of the third period. Not seeing
the puck coming in his direction, he inadvertently deflected Nelson's
shot that was headed for the back of the net.

"I don't think I could have done that again if I tried - it was a
weird bounce off my stick," Eichel said. " I really wish it didn't go off my stick - I wanted him (Brock) to have the hat trick. He had a great game and really deserved that one."

"We gave him a hard time for that one, but it's good to get him on the
board," Lewis said with a laugh. "Maybe it will get him a few goals
now."

Asked when Eichel is buying him dinner, Nelson joked, "I'll definitely
remember that one, so maybe I'll let him know later on when we get
home."

Eichel, the youngest member of Team USA, admitted his teammates gave
him grief for denying Nelson the hat trick: "I was definitely getting
a hard time. It's pretty normal."

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2015 Results

Date Opponent Time (Local/ET)/Result
April 28 Austria (ex.) W, 4-1
May 1 Finland W, 5-1
May 2 Norway W, 2-1
May 4 Russia W, 4-2
May 7 Belarus L, 2-5
May 8 Denmark W, 1-0
May 10 Slovenia W, 3-1
May 12 Slovakia W, 5-4 OT
May 14 Switzerland
Quarterfinals
W, 3-1
May 16 Russia
Semifinals
L, 0-4
May 17 Czech Republic
Bronze Medal Game
W, 3-0

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Tag(s): News