Slovakia upsets U.S. in OT at ice hockey worlds
Written by I Dig SportsPRAGUE -- Slovakia upset the United States 5-4 when Milos Kelemen scored with 1:04 left in overtime at the ice hockey world championship on Monday.
The Americans were handed their second loss in three games.
Libor Hudacek, Simon Nemec and Patrik Koch also scored for the Slovaks and goaltender Samuel Hlavaj stopped 39 shots in Group B in Ostrava.
Down 4-1, the Americans made a three-goal comeback within 12:06 of the third period to force overtime.
Shane Pinto scored the second goal for the Americans between the pads of Hlavaj. Brady Tkachuk added an unassisted goal on a solo effort, and Luke Hughes scored with a slap shot with 3:22 left.
Kelemen and Hudacek scored to give the Slovaks a 2-0 lead in the opening period.
Matt Boldy reduced the advantage to 2-1 on a rebound but Simon Nemec scored for Slovakia with a slap shot and Patrik Koch added the four goal 8:47 into the frame. They prompted U.S. coach John Hynes to substitute goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic with Trey Augustine.
Nedeljkovic allowed four goals from 16 shots. Augustine made eight saves.
The U.S. lost to Sweden 5-2 in its opening game and beat last year's runner-up Germany 6-1.
Oliver Kapanen and Arttu Hyry scored two each for Finland to ease past Norway 4-1 for their second win in three games in Group A.
Following his hat trick in Sunday's 8-0 rout of Britain, Kapanen tops the goal scoring table with five.
Norway remained without a point.
Later Monday, the Czech Republic faced Switzerland in Group A and Sweden met Germany in Group B.