Following Team USA's thrilling Gold Medal-winning performance in the Inaugural 1996 World Cup of Hockey, the second World Cup was played in 2004. Eight countries participated in the tournament: Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, and the United States. Expectations were high for Team USA in the tournament's second running after the United States defeated Canada for the gold medal in 1996. After a disappointing group stage in which the team defeated Slovakia and lost to Canada and Russia, the U.S. matched its goal total in the pool stage in a 5-3 quarterfinal victory over Russia but were eliminated by Finland in the semifinals, 2-1. Prior to the tournament Team USA played three exhibition games: a 3-1 victory over Canada on August 23, 2004 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH, a 3-1 loss to Canada on August 25, 2004 at Corel Centre in Ottawa, Canada and a 2-0 victory over Russia on August 27, 2004 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. This blue jersey was worn by Jeff Halpern during Team USA's 3-1 loss to Canada on August 25. This jersey has been signed on the back. Halpern spent the majority of his 14 seasons with the Washington Capitals. He also spent time with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers and Phoenix Coyotes.
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