Team USA Sweeps Slovakia 9-0 with Clinching Goals in IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships

In the second period, Team USA scored another goal to take a commanding 4-0 lead over Slovakia. The top line collaborated once again, with Ziemer dishing the puck to Hagens in the attacking zone. Hagens then drew both defenders towards the center, creating an opening for Stiga to score a beautiful goal from behind the net.

With 5:18 remaining in the period, Whipple added another goal for Team USA with a wrist shot from the left dot. Eiserman dished the puck back to Rheaume-Mullen who left it for Whipple, who skated in and deposited the shot far-side.

Later in the period, Hagens scored another highlight-reel tally after a beautiful offensive-zone passing display. Ziemer found Stiga stationed between the hashes from the goal line and went no-look, behind-the-back to Hagens, whose quick one-timer made it 6-0 after two periods.

In the third period, Christian Humphreys scored his first of the tournament at 7:18 on a tic-tac-toe sequence set up by Connelly and Hutson. Eiserman added his second goal with 10:02 to play and completed his hat-trick late to cap off Team USA’s dominant performance in a 9-0 final win over Slovakia.

Kempf kept a shutout throughout the game, making his IIHF debut with a perfect performance. Team USA will now face off against Norway on Saturday at 5:30 p.m local / 10:30 a.m ET on NHL Network. James Hagens was named Player of the Game with two goals and two assists during this matchup against Slovakia.

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