A year ago, Stephen Gionta and Ryan Carter were helping the Devils reach the Stanley Cup Finals.
This season, the Devils failed to miss the playoffs, but Gionta and Carter made the best of the disappointment by helping the U.S. win the ...
A year ago, Stephen Gionta and Ryan Carter were helping the Devils reach the Stanley Cup Finals.
This season, the Devils failed to miss the playoffs, but Gionta and Carter made the best of the disappointment by helping the U.S. win the bronze medal in the IIHF World Championships in Sweden and Finland.
The bronze was the first medal for the U.S. in the world championships since it also captured bronze in 2004.
“It was a fun tournament and, obviously, it helps coming home with something,” Gionta said today. “The ultimate goal is the make the (NHL) playoffs and play in that, but to go over and represent USA and come home with the first medal since ’04 was pretty cool and definitely something that I enjoyed.”
Gionta played right wing and Carter played on the left side on a line with Tampa Bay’s Nate Thompson as their center.
“They put us together from Day 1 and they actually kept all the lines together and we seemed to form some good chemistry throughout the tournament,” Gionta said. “A lot of games in a short time, but it was definitely fun.”
Gionta and Carter already had chemistry from playing as linemates with the Devils. Gionta plays center on that line with Steve Bernier as the right wing.
“That definitely helps,” Gionta said of playing with Carter. “We know how each other plays and you put someone like Thompson between us and he’s a great player as well. We had success.”
In 10 games, Gionta had three goals and no assists.
“I got a few lucky bounces, I guess,” Gionta said. “It was nice to contribute offensively.”
