Chrome Defensive Trio Lead Team USA to Gold

What is that old saying, defense wins championships? Well Team USA had a noticeable Chrome LC flavor on the defensive end of the field. Three of the six starters for the red, white, and blue are Chrome teammates and they all played a major role in capturing a gold medal.

Ryan Terefenko, Jesse Bernhardt, and JT Giles-Harris were all over the field during the world games and while they didn’t have flashy individual stat lines, they contributed to the stats that mattered most: 4.00 GAA and a perfect 7-0. 

John Danowski made it clear time and time again that this team (Team USA) isn’t about having the best players in the world, it’s about having the right players, guys who have chemistry and will play for each other. By transplanting three guys from the Chrome defense directly to Team USA, Danowski was able to jump start the defensive chemistry and communication that’s so vital to defensive success. 

The Chrome have been known for their defense and now Team USA is as well.

By The Numbers

Through pool play the Chrome trio combined for seven ground balls, nine caused turnovers, and a goal. The three playoff games included seven ground balls and six caused turnovers. Impressive numbers, but they don’t tell the whole story. The role that each man played is much larger than any single stat.

Ryan Terefenko – Short Stick Defensive Midfield

Terry, as he’s often called, did everything for Team USA. You would see him take vital reps on the faceoff wings, play elite defense, and he was often an offensive catalyst on the clear.