PRAGUE — Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau had a goal and an assist as the United States bounced back from a 5-2 loss to Sweden and defeated last year’s runner-up Germany at the World Ice Hockey Championship on Saturday. defeated 6-1.
In the Group B match played in Ostrava, Michael Kesselring had a goal and an assist each, while captain Brady Tkachuk, Luke Hughes, Trevor Zegras and Michael Eisimont added goals. .
Goaltender Alex Lyon stopped all 14 shots the Germans he faced before being replaced by Trey Augustin with an injury 3:27 into the first half. Augustin made 11 saves.
Tkachuk deflected Kesselring’s shot with his stick to give the Americans a 1-0 lead. Defenseman Kesselring hit a breakaway to make it 2-0.
Gaudreau, who played 23 minutes and had an assist in the loss to Sweden, extended the lead on the power play midway through the second period. Yasin Ehritz scored Germany’s only goal, with Hughes making it 4-1 with three seconds left on target.
Zegras scored another point on the power play in the final period, and Esimon ended the rout.
Conor Bedard scored twice and Canada began its title defense with a 4-2 victory over newcomers Great Britain in Group A in Prague.
Bedard, 18, who is coming off a stellar rookie season with the Chicago Blackhawks, scored two goals in four minutes in the second period to put the Group A game in Prague out of reach.
Despite outscoring Great Britain 12-3 early and winning 34-15 overall, Canada had to come back from behind.
Liam Kirk’s power play put Great Britain ahead 1-0 eight minutes into the match, but the lead only lasted 30 seconds before Michael Bunting found the back of the net.
Brandon Hagel put the defending champions ahead with a high shot into the roof of the net 5:45 into the second period.
Now it’s Bedard’s turn.
The teenager beat goalkeeper Jackson Whistle (30 saves) midway through the frame to score his first senior world goal. Nick Paul made a perfect pass to make it 4-1.
Ben O’Connor scored for Great Britain in the third period.
Similarly, in Group A, hosts Czech Republic came back from a 3-1 deficit to beat Norway 6-3 and win their second straight match, while Denmark defeated Austria 5-1.
In Ostrava, Kazakhstan defeated France 3-1 in the first match of Group B.
In the other Group B match, last year’s bronze medalists Latvia had to hold on to beat fellow first-tier newcomers Poland 5-4 in extra time. Latvian captain Kaspar Daugavins scored the winning goal with 1:31 remaining.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
