It was a game to remember in Amberg today.

It took just over 51 minutes to decide the winner between Team USA and Team Czech Republic, but in the end, it was the United States who earned the 6-5 overtime win in its first game of the 2003 IIHF In-Line Hockey World Championship.

Gino Parrish was the hero of the day for Team USA. His overtime goal at 51:48 sealed the win for the U.S. The goal was Parish’s second of the game.

The game was a see-saw battle throughout with no team holding more than a two-goal lead. The Czech Republic held a 2-1 lead at the end of the first period after Albin Podstavek and Robert Blaha scored. Team USA scored two goals in the second period closing the stanza in a 3-3 tie.  Parrish and Aaron Moss scored the U.S. during the period.

The Czech Republic scored the only two goals of the third, which came 52 seconds apart midway though the period.  But the U.S. used the fourth period to inch its way back into the game. Jason Sessa made it a one-goal game 25 seconds into the period and Ernie Hartlieb provided the equalizer at the 38:27 mark setting up the overtime and eventual victory.

Team USA (1-0) will play Sweden tomorrow at 20:00 in Amberg, while the Czech Republic (0-1) will play the early game against Austria tomorrow.