USA's Luke Hughes, left, tries to hold back Slovakia's Adam Sykora during first period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship hockey action in Moncton, N.B., on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ron Ward
MONCTON, N.B. – Slovakia got goals from a half-dozen skaters in a 6-3 upset of the United States on Wednesday at the world junior hockey championship.
Libor Nemec, Dalibor Dvorsky, Robert Baco, Filip Mesar, Peter Repcik and Alex Ciernik all tallied for the Slovaks, who trailed 2-1 after 20 minutes of play, but led 4-2 after 40 minutes.
Defenceman Simon Nemec, chosen second overall in the 2022 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils, chipped in with three assists.
Tyler Boucher scored twice for the Americans, while Gavin Brindley added a single.
Slovakian goaltender Adam Gajam stopped 33 of 36 shots directed his way, while American netminder Kaiden Mbereko made 20 saves.
Both teams are even in Group B play with a win and a loss after two tournament games. Switzerland leads the group with a pair of wins, followed by Finland with a win and an overtime loss.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 28, 2022.