U.S. bests Russia 5-3 at hockey world championships

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Associated Press

COLOGNE, Germany — The United States came from behind three times Tuesday to beat Russia 5-3 and finish first in Group A at the ice hockey world championships.

The loss was the first of the tournament for the Russians. The Americans have won six straight.

Kevin Hayes scored two goals in his second game at the tournament, and Anders Lee scored the game-winner as the U.S. outshot Russia, 35-19.

Both teams head to the quarterfinals Thursday. The U.S. plays Finland, and Russia meets the Czech Republic.

Finland, which was scheduled to face two-time defending champion Canada later in the day, is assured of finishing fourth in Group B.

In the U.S.-Russia game, Nikita Gusev scored on a breakaway at 12:29. It was the Russians’ second shot of the game.

With five penalties in the first period, Russian lack of discipline was bailed out by its defense. The U.S. had 16 shots compared to Russia’s three in the first period.

Hayes tied the game at the start of the second period on a power play, scoring from a narrow angle with assists from Brock Nelson and Clayton Keller. It was Hayes’ first goal after joining the U.S. roster following the New York Rangers’ elimination from the NHL playoffs.

Russia captain Anton Belov scored minutes later after Sergei Plotnikov sent the puck back, but Dylan Larkin equalized on another Nelson assist.

U.S. captain Connor Murphy was penalized for interference and Gusev claimed his second goal on the power play.

But Hayes scored again — Johnny Gaudreau and Bjugstad with the assists — to tie the game 3-3 going into the third period.

Frayed tempers led to a punch-up in the third, before Yevgeni Kuznetsov was penalized for slashing. The U.S. capitalized when Jack Eichel sent a long pass to Gaudreau, who found Lee free to score from close range.

Nelson sealed the win for the U.S. with an empty-net goal with 22 seconds remaining.