Monday night’s loss to Team Canada in the semifinals of the World Junior Championship might have been disappointing for Team USA but Boston University’s Charlie Coyle, playing in his first WJC, is ready to put it behind him.
He said on Tuesday that there is simply nothing that the US can do about the past and that all of their focus now is on taking home the bronze medal, which he and his teammates will have the chance to do on Wednesday.
For Coyle, though, regardless of the outcome on Wednesday, the World Juniors will be a success. With two goals and four assists, Coyle enters Wednesday’s Bronze Medal game as the team’s leader in points, that despite being among the youngest players on the American team.
“This has been a great experience for me,” said Coyle, whose return to BU can’t come quick enough after the Terriers lost and tied last weekend at the Shillelagh Tournament. “I remember watching this last year sitting at home. It’s exciting and being here is an unbelievable experience. I’m just excited to be a part of it.
“I’m playing with a couple of good linemates in [former Notre Dame forward Kyle] Palmieri and [current BC forward Chris] Kreider. That has made [scoring] a little bit easier. We’ve been clicking pretty well.”
Speaking of Kreider, Coyle may hope he is following in the footsteps of the BC sophomore. A year ago at World Juniors, Kreider had a breakout tournament, tying for the USA’s team lead in goal scoring with six. Kreider then returned to BC and had a fantastic second half of the season, helping lead the Eagles to the national title.
Coyle won’t have to consider World Juniors a breakout event as he’s already recorded 14 points for the Terriers before the holiday break. Still, a national title would be something Coyle would love.
For today, at least, Coyle and his team is focused on just one thing: taking home a medal.
“We’re focused on Sweden right now,” said Coyle. “It’s still a big game for us. The Bronze Medal is still on the line so we’re looking forward to that.”
