Ostrava, Czech Republic (SportsNetwork.com) – Brock Nelson’s redirection goal
early in the second period was the difference, as Team USA squeaked by Norway,
2-1, on Saturday in Group B action at the World Championships.
Trevor Lewis notched the other goal for the 2-0 Americans, with Connor
Hellebuyck posting 22 saves. Team USA faces its stiffest test of the
preliminary round against Russia on Monday.
Morten Ask scored in the first period and Lars Haugen was the hard luck loser
despite 33 stops. Norway takes on Finland two days from now.
In other Group B play, Slovakia edged Denmark by a 4-3 count in a shootout,
with Marko Dano recording the winner for the former nation after Daniel
Nielsen pulled the latter country even on a goal with 2:14 left in regulation.
Belarus claimed a 4-2 decision over Slovenia thanks to a goal and assist each
from Andrei Stas and Andrei Kostitsyn and two helpers by Artur Gavrus.
At Prague in Group A competition, Austria stole a 4-3 shootout decision
against Switzerland. Michael Raffl ensured the winning side played beyond
regulation on his goal with 50 seconds left in the third, and Konstantin
Komarek notched the deciding marker in the game’s final segment.
Germany clipped France by a 2-1 count after Patrick Reimer netted the go-ahead
power-play goal with one minute to go in regulation.
In their capital city, the host Czechs came up with a more consistent effort
and doubled up Latvia by a 4-2 score. Jan Kovar fueled the victory on a goal
and two assists, with team captain Jakub Voracek adding a score and veteran
Jaromir Jagr lighting the lamp as well.
