Red deer, Alta. – The USA jumped to a lead with three goals and overcame a comeback in the third period to defeat Slovakia 3-2 on Sunday in the last match on the first day of the world championship in junior hockey.

Matthew Knies, Mackie Samoskevich and Landon Slaggert scored for the reigning champion Americans (1-0) in pool B-action in Red Deer, Alta.

Goalkeeper Drew Commesso stopped 23 shots in the win.

Martin Chromiak scored two goals in the third period for Slovakia (0-1), who failed to find the equalizer late in the match.

Simon Latkoczy made 39 saves in defeat.

The United States beat Slovakia 42-25.

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CANADA 6 CZECH REPUBLIC 3

Owen Power’s hat trick lifted Canada (1-0) over the Czechs (0-1). Power of Mississauga, Ont., Became the first Canadian defender to score three goals in a single match at the World Junior Junior Championships.

The Buffalo Sabers’ first overall pick in this year’s NHL entry draft scored a couple of power-play goals for Canada in the second period, breaking a 3-3 deadlock.

“I think the puck just found me,” Power said. “Guys did a great job of getting me good pucks in good places to shoot.”

Cole Perfetti had three assists, Mason McTavish had one goal and one assist and defenders Donovan Sebrango and Olen Zellweger also scored for the hosts at Edmonton’s Rogers Place.

Canada’s starting goalkeeper Dylan Garand, who signed an entry-level contract with the New York Rangers last week, made 14 saves for the win.

Michal Gut had a goal and an assist and Stanislav Svozil and Pavel Novak also scored for what is now the Czech Republic after the Czech Hockey Federation’s adoption of the country’s name change from “Czech Republic”.

Jakub Malek, a New Jersey Devils prospect, turned away 30 shots in the loss.

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SWEDEN 6 RUSSIA 3

Simon Edvinsson, Emil Andrae and Alexander Holtz each did and assisted another to lead Sweden past Russia.

Oskar Olausson, Theodor Niederbach and Daniel Ljungman also scored for Sweden (1-0). Helge Grans and William Eklund chipped in with two assists each.

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Jesper Wallstedt turned away 27 shots in the tournament’s opening win in Red Deer.

Matvei Michkov responded with two third-period goals for Russia (0-1). Fyodor Svechkov also scored.

Russian goalkeeper Yaroslav Askarov gave up three goals on 16 shots before being pulled after two periods. Yegor Guskov stopped 5-of-7 shots in relief in the third.

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FINLAND 3 GERMANY 1

Samuel Helenius scored two goals and Joel Maata had the final winner in the second period for Finland (1-0), with Brad Lambert assisting on both of Helenius’ goals.

Leevi Merilainen made 23 saves for the net win.

Luca Munzenberger was the lone goal scorer for Germany (0-1), who got 19 stops by goalkeeper Nikita Quapp.

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This report from The Canadian Press was first published on December 26, 2021.

Canadian Press