The United States took a commanding 6-2 lead over Slovakia in the 2024 IIHF Men’s World Championship. In the first period, Juraj Slafkovsky scored a goal for Slovakia with less than two minutes remaining. However, Peter Cehárik tied the game at 2-2 just four minutes into the second period. The U.S. regained the lead just over two minutes later after Mikey Eyssimont scored a wraparound goal with assists from Matthew Kessel and Luke Hughes.
Brady Tkachuk capitalized on a feed across the slot from Hughes to add to the tally at 9:29 in the third period. Trevor Zegras started the play in the neutral zone with a pass up the ice to Hughes, and team USA took a 5-2 lead after Smith buried his own rebound off a wrister, assisted by Boldy and Gaudreau. Kevin Hayes added an empty-net goal with :33 remaining to account for the final score of 6-2 in favor of Team USA.
Goaltender Alex Lyon played the first two periods and made 17 saves on 19 shots, while Trey Augustine made four saves in the final period. Matt Boldy was named Team USA’s Player of the Game, and both teams went scoreless on power plays during regulation time. The U.S. had a 31-23 advantage in shots on goals, but it was Slovakia who got one back on Juraj Slafkovsky’s goal with less than two minutes remaining in the first period, leaving Team USA leading 5-4 heading into intermission.
The U.S Men’s National Team will open play against Sweden Friday (May 10) at 8:20 p.m local/2:20 p.m ET at Ostrava Arena Czech Republic.
All Team USA games will be carried live on NHL Network.
Notes: Matt Boldy was named Team USA’s Player of
