Stockholm – Frank Nazar scored twice to help the United States recover a 5-2 victory over the Czech Republic and deliver to the headline its first defeat in the World Ice Hockey Championship on Tuesday.
The victory led Americans to second place in Group G in Herning, Denmark. Switzerland won the group, with the Czechs ending third.
Nazar diverted a network shot to tie the game with 2-2 1:35 in the final period in a power game. He scored again in another power play for the sixth goal of the 21 -year -old Chicago Blackhawks in the tournament.
Logan Cooley touched a short distance shot to put 4-2 with 6:31 to go and Andrew Peeke finished it with an empty network.
Josh Doan gave the Americans a 1-0 9:25 advantage in the game in a rebound with a setback between the pads of goalkeeper Karel Vejelka.
The United States dominated the first period, surpassing its opponent 23-8. The Czechs returned in the second, since David Pastrnak tied the game at a break 41 seconds in the period by beating his teammate of the Boston Bruins, Swayman for his sixth goal in the tournament.
Pastrnak then installed Martin Necas in the left circle for only time he put the Czechs 2-1 up 8:33 in the average period.
Previously, Austria arrived at the playoffs for the first time in 31 years.
Austria defeated Latvia 6-1 and became the fourth and last team to advance to the quarterfinals of Group A.
Sweden and Canada meet later on Tuesday for the first position of the group. Finland, another qualified team, beat Slovakia 2-1.
Switzerland beat Kazakhstan 4-1 in Herning, Denmark, and moved to the top of group B before the subsequent games.
Kazakhstan was relegated after five years in the upper division.
Switzerland ended with 19 points, two ahead of the United States and the Czechs
In addition, the winner between Germany and Denmark later on Tuesday will determine the fourth and last team of Group B to advance.
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