General | 12/11/2023 5:17:49 PM

  Truro, N.S. ----  Team USA opened the 2023 World Junior A Challenge with a 6-1 win over Slovakia Tuesday.

The American squad, made up of 22 players from the United States Hockey League, led 3-0 after the first period of action and never trailed in the contest. 

James Reeder (Dubuque) paced the U.S. in the game by scoring three times. He opened the scoring in the game when he tallied at 1:07 of the first period. Jack Phelan (Sioux Falls) made it a 2-0 lead on a goal at 2:32 and when Beckett Hendrickson (Sioux Falls) converted on a power play at 9:25, Team USA entered the locker room owning a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes of action.

Reeder got his second of the game at 8:05 of the second period in making it a 4-0 lead. Slovakia got on the board at 12:19 on a goal from Adam Belusko and after 40 minutes the U.S. held a 4-1 lead.

Reeder completed the hat trick at 13:40 of the third and Finn Brink (Madison) closed out the scoring in the game when he scored at 16:55.

Mac Swanson (Fargo) had three assists for Team USA and Hampton Slukynsky (Fargo) finished with 17 saves in the game to record the win. 

Team USA, which is led by head coach Matt Smaby (Waterloo), continues action at the tournament Wednesday with a game vs. Sweden.  Faceoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST.

Be sure to check out the USA Hockey WJAC page for more information.