Slovakia scored a goal from Juraj Slafkovsky with less than two minutes remaining in the first period, tying the game at 2-2. Peter Cehárik then tied the game again just 4:10 into the middle frame, but the U.S. regained the lead just over two minutes later after Mikey Eyssimont sank a wraparound goal assisted by Matthew Kessel and Luke Hughes.
Brady Tkachuk added to the tally at 9:29 in the third period, capitalizing on a feed across the slot from Hughes. Trevor Zegras started the play in the neutral zone with a pass up the ice to Hughes, resulting in Team USA taking a 5-2 lead. Slovakia’s own rebound off a wrister buried by Smith accounted for their final goal, which left Team USA with a 6-2 victory.
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 they had a 31-23 advantage in shots on goals. The U.S. Men’s National Team will open play in the 2024 IIHF Men’s World Championship Friday (May 10) at 8:20 p.m. local/2:20 p.m. ET against Sweden in Ostrava, Czechia. All Team USA games in the world championship will be carried live on NHL Network
