HERNING, Denmark – The United States ice hockey team achieved a commanding 6-0 victory over newcomer Hungary at the World Championship on Sunday, marking their second successive shutout of the tournament.
Key offensive contributions for the Americans in the Group B game in Herning came from Frank Nazar, who tallied two goals and an assist, and Cutter Gauthier, who also scored twice. Conor Garland and Logan Cooley each chipped in with a goal and an assist.
Nazar initiated the scoring play in the first period, deflecting a shot from Logan Cooley into the net with 5:53 remaining. He quickly followed up with his second goal just 2:47 later, finding the back of the net from behind the goal line after a sequence involving Hungarian goaltender Adam Vay.
Cutter Gauthier extended the U.S. lead to 3-0 with a shot from the right faceoff circle midway through the second period.
The third period saw the Americans score two rapid goals within 41 seconds of each other early in the frame.
Gauthier notched his second marker of the contest just 1:13 into the final period, and shortly thereafter, Garland netted the team`s fifth goal from close range.
Logan Cooley rounded off the scoring by burying the puck into an empty net.
Goaltender Jeremy Swayman was solid in net, stopping all 13 shots he faced to earn the shutout.
This dominant performance follows the U.S. team`s previous 5-0 shutout victory over Denmark. Their next challenge in the tournament is scheduled for Monday against Switzerland.
In other tournament action, Slovakia secured their first win in Group A with a 3-1 defeat of fellow newcomer Slovenia in Stockholm.
Sunday`s schedule also included Canada facing Latvia and Finland playing France in Stockholm, while in Herning, Czechia was set to compete against Norway and Germany against Kazakhstan.
