BERN, Switzerland (AP) - The United States broke open a close
game with four goals in the third period, beating Austria 6-1 on
Monday to reach the second round of the ice hockey world
championship.
Dustin Brown had a goal and two assists, and Patrick O'Sullivan
and Jason Blake each added a goal and an assist for the Americans.
Drew Stafford, Lee Stempniak and defenseman Matt Niskanen also
scored goals.
The United States beat Latvia 4-2 on Saturday and is assured of
reaching the second round, which features two groups of six teams
beginning play Thursday. The U.S. finishes Group C play against
Sweden on Wednesday.
Brown, the Los Angeles Kings captain, scored at 15:11 when he
drifted in front of the crease and sent a backhander past Austria
goalie Jurgen Penker.
The United States made it 2-0 midway through the second period
after U.S. goalie Robert Esche saved a slap shot from Matthias
Trattnig. At the other end, Stafford tapped in a loose puck in the
crease when Nick Foligno's shot was saved.
Esche was stranded out of goal when Austria scored at 14:26. He
misplaced a pass and Markus Peintner scored from beyond the left
circle.
The U.S. wasted little time pushing its lead back to two goals
when O'Sullivan scored for the second straight game 25 seconds into
the third period. Brown and Jason Blake got the assist.
Three more goals came on power plays. Blake scored from close
range on another assist from Brown, Stempniak scored from the left
circle, and Niskanen scored during a late 5-on-3.
Esche, who plays for St. Petersburg in Russia, had 25 saves for
his second win of the tournament. The United States outshot Austria
38-26, and shut down Buffalo Sabres star Thomas Vanek, who was held
without a point for the second straight game.
In Zurich, the Czech Republic advanced to the second round with
a 5-2 victory over Norway in Group D. Later in the day, Sweden was
scheduled to play Latvia in Bern and Group D favorite Finland was
set to play Denmark in Zurich.