The USA comes back from behind and stays undefeated

The USA world junior team faced Slovakia in its third preliminary-round game yesterday.

Tobias Pitka goal at 8:53 of the 1st period, giving Slovakia a 1-0 lead. Later on in the period, Slovakia went up 2-0 on a goal by Tomas Chrenko at 11:15.

AJ Spellacy's short-handed goal split the lead in half to make 2-1 at 1:50 into the second period. Adam Belusko's goal gave Slovakia back their two-goal advantage at 3-1 with a short-handed goal of his own at 6:46. Brendan McMorrow then made it a one-score game with his 1st goal of the tournament at 8:33. Ryker Lee tied the game for the U.S. on the power-play, his 1st of the tournament at 11:00 of the period. After Michal Svrcek gave Slovakia the lead on the power-play at 14:44, James Hagans scored his 1st goal of the tournament, which tied the game at 4-4. 

In the 3rd, Hagans earned his 2nd goal of the game, just 18 seconds into the period, and the U.S. took the lead at 5-4. Will Zellers scored his (1st) on the power-play, giving the U.S. a two-goal advantage, at 6-4. Tomas Chrenko was able to score his 2nd goal of the game but it was little too late.

The U.S. won a close one against Slovakia, 6-5. 

Next Game for the U.S.:  

Wednesday, December 31^st New Year's EVE

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