Team USA’s top line scored another goal in the middle frame, with Teddy Stiga from Sudbury, Mass scoring after a pass that left a drop-pass for him. This time, Hagens drew both defenders towards the center, leaving the way for Stiga to score far side.
Defenseman John Whipple from Minnetonka, Minn added to Team USA’s lead with a wrist shot from the left dot at 5:18 of the period. Eiserman passed the puck back to Rheaume-Mullen who left it for his partner Whipple, who skated in and deposited the shot.
Christian Humphreys from Pittsburgh, Pa scored his first goal of the tournament at 7:18 of the third on a tic-tac-toe sequence set up by Trevor Connelly and Hutson. Eiserman added his second goal with 10:02 to play and completed his hat-trick late in the game. The final score was 9-0 in favor of Team USA.
Kempf kept a shutout throughout the game and made his IIHF debut with this impressive performance. The U.S will face Norway on Saturday, April 27 at 5:30 p.m. local / 10:30 a.m. ET on NHL Network.
James Hagens was named Team USA’s Player of the Game for his two goals and two assists during this matchup against Slovakia where they went 1-3 on power play but were successful on one penalty kill attempt