Patrick Maroon scored first for Team USA, but Canada responded with five unanswered goals for a 5-1 win over the Americans in the preliminary round of the 2016 World Championships on Friday at Yublieyny Ice Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Taylor Hall (Edmonton), Brendan Gallagher (Montreal), Matt Duchene (Colorado), Boone Jenner (Columbus) and Brad Marchand (Boston) each scored, while Ryan O’Reilly (Buffalo) had two assists for the defending tournament champions. Keith Kincaid (New Jersey) allowed all five goals, while Cam Talbot (Edmonton) stopped 24 of 25 shots.
Maroon opened the scoring for the Americans with a first-period power play goal off a feed from Kyle Connor (Winnipeg) and David Warsofsky (Pittsburgh). Twenty-eight seconds later Hall tied it up to spark a five goal run. Gallagher scored the eventual game-winner for a 3-1 lead after the first before Jenner and Marchand, who scored on a short-handed breakaway, put the game out of reach in the third.
Chicago Blackhawks prospects Vincent Hinostroza and Tyler Motte both made their debut for Team USA’s national team. Both players recorded a shot on goal.
The Americans return to the ice Saturday against Belarus, while Canada will face Hungary on Sunday.