Ivan Hlinka Day 2: Finns and Swedes improve to 2-0

The highlight game of Day 2 was a Group B tilt in Piešťany between two medal contenders: USA and Russia. After dropping their opener against Finland, the game was critically important for the Americans, whose semifinal hopes would have disappeared with a loss. They won 5-4 in overtime to claim 2 points, but they could have had 3.

Down 3-1 with 13 minutes to play, the Russians struck twice in a span of 1:39 to tie the score. The Americans regained the lead when Cristoval Nieves scored with 4:46 left in regulation time, but Timur Shingaryeyev tied it for Russia with 1:44 to play. Vincent Hinostroza, with his second goal of the game, salvaged the tournament for the Americans by scoring in overtime, but they’ll still need to win their last game against Slovakia and hope Finland beats Russia.

That’s because Finland is clear to the semifinals. After opening with a 6-3 victory over the US, the Finns pounded Slovakia 10-2 on Tuesday to improve to 2-0. Teuvo Teräväinen scored 2 goals and 3 assists to increase his two-game total to 8 points, which leads all tournament scorers. In Group B, Finland leads with 6 points, followed by Russia with 4, USA with 2, and Slovakia is pointless.

Meanwhile, in Břeclav, Sweden survived a late scare and stayed perfect with a 4-3 win over Switzerland. Barring a blowout loss in their last game against the Czechs, the win puts Sweden into the semifinals. In the evening’s game, the host Czechs had a chance to gain the other semifinal spot and eliminate Canada, but were bombed 6-1. The Canadians outshot the Czechs 43-14, but Marek Langhammer kept them off the board through the first period. After scoring only one goal in the first four periods, Canada responded with 4 goals in the second, including 3 in a span of 2:09.

“It was the response we wanted,” said Canadian captain Mathew Dumba, who picked up a goal and an assist. “We talked last night that we’ve got to come together as a team and we got away from that a little bit yesterday. Today we played a gritty, hard game and it paid off.”

Despite losing their first two games, the Swiss still have a mathematical chance at the semifinals if they beat Canada in regulation and Sweden does likewise against the Czechs. They would then have to win a three-way tiebreaker with Canada and the Czechs. Their goal difference is currently -3, the same as the Czechs, while Canada is +1.

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