RED DEER, Alberta — After falling in its prior two games, Team USA looked to finish with a win against Slovakia for fifth place at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup Friday.
Getting on the board first was Slovakia's Leo Eperjesin five minutes into the first period. However, the Americans answered back at 15:56 with a goal from Joe Connor to tie things up at one apiece. Slovakia was called for holding at the end of the first period, and Andrew Strathmann found the back of the net on the ensuing power play to give the U.S a 2-1 lead after the opening 20 minutes.
GAME OVER | 🇺🇸 beats 🇸🇰 4-2 in the 5th place consolation game at the 2022 #HlinkaGretzkyCup.
— Hlinka Gretzky Cup (@HlinkaMemorial) August 5, 2022
📊 https://t.co/YBcsjTqgYv@ABRamDealers | @USAHockey | @HockeySlovakia pic.twitter.com/2vDv71Ts9B
Slovakia took another penalty 3:30 into the second, and Team USA capitalized nine seconds into the power play with a goal from
Tanner Adams
to extend its lead to two.
In the third, the U.S. got the ball rolling with a goal from Zack Sharp at 2:09. Three minutes later, Slovakia answered back as Juraj Pekarcik found the back of the net. The Americans held on in the end, taking the game by a final score of 4-2.
Warroad's Hampton Slukynsk y stopped 33 of 35 shots he faced to earn the win in net for the Americans.
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With the win, Team USA earned fifth place at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
