Mobile Defense could help USA at World Championships

It may take a village to score a goal for Team USA at the World Championships in Slovakia, but coach Scott Gordon found ample reasons, as its title cast in Saturday's opener against Austria (10: 15 a.m. ETVersus). By Frederick Breedon, Getty Images

Cam Fowler of Anaheim is joining moving puck defensemen Jack Johnson and Kevin Shattenkirk on the U.S. Squad at the World Championships.

By Frederick Breedon, Getty Images

Cam Fowler of Anaheim is joining moving puck defensemen Jack Johnson and Kevin Shattenkirk on the U.S. Squad at the World Championships.

"We have a very good mix (defensemen) that we can get some offense," said Gordon. "Just having that ability back there will make us a little better because they are going to get the puck in situations better and we will be able to get out of the zone of cleaner".Center for New York Rangers Derek Stepan is the only American who scored 20 goals in the NHL this past season, but the Defense includes Cam Fowler of Anaheim, St. Louis ' Kevin Shattenkirk and Los Angeles ' Jack Johnson, which can move the puck. Gordon also appreciates that the Americans have one team skating should be able to match up well with the other teams "Have a lot of speed," said Gordon. "It will be interesting to see how this translates (in games)".Americans beat Austria in a game 3-2 pre-tournament games. "There is no easy game, "said Gordon. "These teams here play this tournament, like the Stanley Cup. They are very passionate. "The Canadians led Rick Nash are considered the team to beat in this tournament. "We went to the medal round two years ago, and every game we played was a nail-biter, "said Gordon. "That says a lot about how teams about the careful here and how hard work ... You can't take any team for granted. "Going into the tournament, the U.S. is playing Stepan with Blake Wheeler, who was a scorer of 18 for the Atlanta Thrashers. The third member of the line will be that Nashville Predators prospect Craig Smith, a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin, who was a front of point per game. "He looked well, not out of place at all, "said Gordon.

30 April: Austria, 10: 15 hours.

On May 2: Norway, 10: 15 hours.

May 4: Sweden, at 14: 15.

ET. U.S. games on Versus

Florida Panthers defenseman Clay Wilson also was impressive in practice ".He could end up being a rover for us, "said Gordon. "He is an offensive-minded. In the first game, he can even play some wing. "U.s. team last year was victorious in the preliminary round and finished 13th. This year's adjustment with Austria was more difficult than the Americans wanted to be. The United States if fell behind 2-0 before rallying. "They came to us very hard, and if we're playing on our heels, they will have the game for us, "said Gordon. "We have to start the game."On Thursday, Gordon, a former coach of the New York Islanders appointed Defender Atlanta Mark Stuart as the captain of the team. ""I know him since my days in Providence in the Boston organization and people in USA Hockey knows it, said Gordon. "We know him and how he carries himself. … It represents what you want your players like. "Mike Komisarek (Toronto), Mike Brown (Toronto), Jack Johnson (Los Angeles) and Paul Schwalbennest (Buffalo) are alternates.Johnson and Schwalbennest are not expected to arrive in time for opening Saturday in Kosice, Slovakia For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. For consideration of publication in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and State for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines of the conversation. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation of how to use the "report abuse" button. Read more.