ROACH LEADS UNITED STATES TO BRONZE MEDAL

Andy Roach, a former two-time All-American at Ferris State University, guided the United States Men's National Team to the bronze medal with the game-winning goal at the 2004 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Men's World Championships Sunday (May 9) at Prague, Czech Republic.

Andy Roach tallied the game-winning goal in leading United States to the bronze medal at the 2004 International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Championships.

Roach, who received second-team All-America honors twice (1995-96 and 1996-97) by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) during his four-year (1993-97) FSU career, registered the deciding goal in a 1-0 shootout victory against Slovakia. Following three scoreless periods in regulation and a 10-minute overtime period, the Americans outscored Slovakia by a 4-2 margin in the shootout. Game officials used video replay to review and confirm Roach's tally after the puck hit the top of the bar inside the net and quickly bounced out. In the shootout, Roach was the third American in line and converted on a backhander which went through the blocker side of Slovak netminder Jan Lasak.

Roach's marker represented his second consecutive game winner as the forward held the distinction of being the only U.S. skater to convert his shootout attempt in Wednesday's (May 5) quarterfinal-round triumph over the Czech Republic.

A native of Mattawan, Roach was the lone player on the 2004 U.S.A. roster with no National Hockey League (NHL) playing experience. He was selected by head coach Peter Laviolette after the pair were part of the U.S. squad which finished first place in last November's Deutschland Cup.

Roach has spent the last five seasons competing in the German Elite League, including the past four with Adler Mannheim Eagles. He tied for fourth in team scoring during the 2003-04 season with 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points to go with a +15 efficiency rating in 46 contests.

Roach was a two-time All-American at Ferris State.

The U.S. team concluded the World Championships with a 5-3-1 overall record and its first top three performance in the event since 1996. As a result of their tournament performance, the Americans have qualified for the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. Play at the IIHF World Championships was conducted from April 24-May 9 in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic.

While at Ferris State, Roach compiled 129 career points with 42 goals and 87 assists in 138 games. Roach, who currently ranks 15th among the Bulldogs' all-time leaders in scoring and 13th in assists, garnered All-Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) First-Team accolades twice (1995-97) while receiving second-team laurels in 1994-95 and league all-rookie plaudits in 1993-94. He was named the CCHA's Best "Offensive" Defenseman in the 1996-97 season after attaining runner-up honors the previous campaign (1995-96). Roach was selected FSU's Most Valuable Player in both the 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons.