The USA started the senior ice hockey world championship with a defeat in Ostrava, Czech Republic on Friday.
Cole Caufield and his compatriots lost to Sweden 5-2.
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Joel Eriksson Ek was the big offensive star of the winners. The Minnesota Wild player hit the target twice and provided an assist for three points.
Victor Hedman and Marcus Johansson were not left out with a goal and an assist each. Lucas Raymond was the Swedes’ other goalscorer.
In the American camp, Zach Werenski and Brock Nelson placed the puck behind the back of goalkeeper Filip Gustavsson. The latter ended his confrontation with 27 saves. At the other end of the ice, Alex Lyon stopped 32 pucks in the loss.
To get back to Caufield, the Montreal Canadiens sniper fired two shots at the opposing net.
The Americans will look for their first win of the tournament on Saturday when they meet Germany. The next day the Swedes face Poland.
The other game on display in the second half of the tournament day involved hosts the Czech Republic, who delighted their home crowd with a 1-0 penalty shootout win in Prague. Under the eyes of local hero Jaromir Jagr, who officially opened the tournament activities, Ondrej Kase and Roman Cervenka secured the decisive point in the shootout.
The Czechs are led by head coach Radim Rulik, who counts on the help of former Montreal Canadiens color carrier Tomas Plekanec behind the bench.
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