<p>The United States has locked up first place in Group B with a statement 10-2 win over Slovakia on Sunday.</p>



<p>It was one of the most important games of the tournament, with Slovakia entering with a perfect 3-0 record and nine points. The Americans had three eight points after needing a shootout to beat Czechia, so all eyes were on the opening matchup of Dec. 31.</p>



<p>Both teams will await their quarterfinal opponent, with Group A still having a lot left to decide on Sunday evening in Sweden. The Americans fill face the fourth seed from the other group, while Slovakia, who finished second, will battle against the third-place team from A.</p>



<p>The first period had some great energy, with Rutger McGroarty scoring first for USA at 6:21 – taking advantage of another slow start by the Slovaks. But Slovakia battled back, with Marian Mosko tying things up two minutes later. The United States would cap the third off with Zeev Buium’s goal, one that the Slovaks unsuccessfully challenged for goaltender interference.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="172"></div>



<p>Gavin Hayes was thrown out of the game late in the opening frame for kneeing, a moment that could have sunk the Americans. Instead, Gavin Brindley scored a big shorthanded goal after Lane Hutson sent him down for a chance, making it 3-1.</p>



<p>Filip Mesar would then score to make it a 3-2 game, keeping things close once again. But the Americans had different plans to close out the second, with Ryan Leonard making it a 4-2 game shortly after. Two more goals from McGroarty completed the hat-trick, while Eric Pohlkamp, Cutter Gauthier and two from Isaac Howard finished things off.</p>



<p>Here’s a look at the top performers from both squads:</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">USA</h2>



<p><strong>#2 Rutger McGroarty, RW (Winnipeg Jets):</strong> He’s back, baby. Captain America needed a few games to show how good he could, but he scored a hat-trick today to shine as USA’s top player. That was especially vital in Snuggerud’s absence. It seemed like everytime McGroarty touched the puck, magic happened.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="161"></div>



<p><strong>#11 Oliver Moore, LW (Chicago Blackhawks): </strong>While the Americans missed having Jimmy Snuggerud in the lineup – who was out with an illness – Moore brought speed and competitiveness to the top line. It paid off as he helped McGroarty open the scoring before having a couple of other good plays throughout the game. Moore is one of the fastest skaters in the tournament, and Slovakia had a difficult time containing him.</p>



<p><strong>#4 Gavin Brindley, RW (Columbus Blue Jackets): </strong>Brindley has been one of USA’s most important players, and his shorthanded goal early in the second after blasting past Maxim Strbak helped give the Americans a bit of a buffer. The way he attacks on the penalty kill is remarkable because he’s always moving and trying to create something. Brindley was seen hunched over in significant pain after blocking a shot late in the five-minute PK, but He doesn’t miss many shots on the rush, either.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="2" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="156"></div>



<p><strong>#1 Trey Augustine, G (Detroit Red Wings): </strong>Augustine was supposed to start against Czechia, but missed the game due to illness. He clearly had no lingering effects on Sunday as he stood tall for 38 stops against a determined Slovak team trying to finish a perfect preliminary round run. It’s hard to believe in a 10-2 game, but goaltending really mattered for the United States in this one, especially in the first half.</p>



<p><strong>#22 Isaac Howard, LW (Tampa Bay Lightning): </strong>It’s hard to go wrong with two goals, even if the Americans didn’t need them. Howard was brought in to score, and the Michigan State University star now has five goals – and a shootout winner – in four games.</p>



<p><strong>#28 Zeev Buium, D (2024 NHL Draft)</strong>: With a goal and an assist, this was Buium’s best game of the tournament. He had his usual strong defensive game, but his offensive game looked what we’re used to seeing him at the University of Denver. Buium is one of the top defenders for the 2024 draft, and today’s effort helps his case.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="3" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="181"></div>



<p><strong>#20 Lane Hutson, D (Montreal Canadiens):</strong> This was Hutson’s best defensive effort of the tournament. He nabbed an assist on Brindley’s shorthanded goal, blocked shots and took away lanes from the Slovak attack. Watch Hutson’s game now compared to this tournament – or even this matchup from a year ago – and you’re watching someone who understands how important it is to commit to defense. We know Hutson can score, but this tournament has shown that he’s more well-rounded.</p>



<p><strong>#5 Drew Fortescue, D (New York Rangers):</strong> Sure, he took a delay of game penalty and then found himself potentially facing a major later. But Fortescue had a huge block to stop a potential goal, got in Slovakia’s head and then pinched in to set up McGroarty for the 5-2 goal. This was Fortescue’s most impactful game, for better and for worse, but I thought it was a good showing overall.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="4" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="150"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-slovakia">Slovakia</h2>



<p><strong>#10 Filip Mesar, RW (Montreal Canadiens): </strong>Mesar was grinding all game, chasing pucks, getting in the way of chances, and even stealing the puck off future Habs teammate Lane Hutson. He eventually capitalized on the power play to bring Slovakia back within one goal. It wasn’t enough, but it was needed for a Slovak team starting to fall behind.</p>



<p><strong>#6 Viliam Kmec, D (Undrafted):</strong> I’ve truly liked how involved Kmec has been in Slovakia’s offense this tournament. He likes to join the rush, has some good stretch passes and plays a strong defensive game. Kmec didn’t have the footspeed to slow down some of USA’s faster players, but the effort was there.</p>



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