Team USA Dominates Slovakia with a 9-0 Victory in Opening Game of U18 World Championship

Midway through the middle frame, Team USA’s top line scored again, this time from Teddy Stiga. Ziemer passed to Hagens as they entered the attacking zone. Hagens drew both defenders towards the center, leaving a drop-pass for Stiga, who scored to give the U.S. a 4-0 lead.

With 5:18 left in the period, defenseman John Whipple added another goal for the U.S. with a wrist shot from the left dot. Eiserman passed the puck back to Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen, who then passed it to Whipple for the score.

Hagens scored another highlight-reel goal late in the period after a beautiful passing play in the offensive zone. Ziemer found Stiga between the hashes, who then made a no-look, behind-the-back pass to Hagens. Hagens scored quickly to make it a 6-0 game after two periods.

In the third period, Christian Humphreys scored his first goal of the tournament on a tic-tac-toe sequence set up by Trevor Connelly and Hutson. Eiserman scored his second goal with 10:02 left in the game and completed his hat-trick late, bringing the final score to 9-0 in favor of the U.S.

Kempf earned a shutout in his IIHF debut, keeping Slovakia off the board the entire game. Team USA will face Norway on Saturday after a day off, with the game airing live on NHL Network at 5:30 p.m. local time / 10:30 a.m. ET.

James Hagens was named Team USA’s Player of the Game with two goals and two assists. The U.S. went 1-3 on the power play and 1-1 on the penalty kill, outshooting Slovakia 35-24. Team USA’s next game is against Norway on Friday, April 27 at 10:30 a.m. ET on NHL Network.