Americans hold off Slovakia to kickstart world juniors campaign with victory

Sweden breezes past Russia, Helenius leads Finland past Germany

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Caption: Defending champions, the United States took a 3-2 win over Slovakia to kickstart their 2022 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship campaign in Red Deer, Alta., on Sunday. (Jonathan Haywar/The Canadian Press)

The United States jumped to a three-goal lead and overcame a third-period comeback to defeat Slovakia 3-2 Sunday in the final game on the first day at the world junior hockey championship.
Matthew Knies, Mackie Samoskevich and Landon Slaggert scored for the defending champion Americans (1-0) in pool B action in Red Deer, Alta.
Goalie Drew Commesso stopped 23 shots in the win.
Martin Chromiak scored twice in the third period for Slovakia (0-1), which failed to find the equalizer late in the game.

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Simon Latkoczy made 39 saves in defeat.
The U.S. outshot Slovakia 42-25.
"Our guys stuck together and grinded out a tough game," U.S. coach Nate Leaman said. "It's a good first step for our group. We need to keep working hard and improving before we play Switzerland on Tuesday."

Sweden breezes past Russia

Simon Edvinsson, Emil Andrae and Alexander Holtz each scored one and assisted another to lead Sweden past Russia 6-3 Sunday on the first day at the world junior hockey championship.
Oskar Olausson, Theodor Niederbach and Daniel Ljungman also scored for Sweden (1-0). Helge Grans and William Eklund chipped in with two assists apiece.

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Jesper Wallstedt turned away 27 shots in the tournament-opening win in Red Deer, Alta.
Matvei Michkov replied with two third-period goals for Russia (0-1). Fyodor Svechkov also scored.
Russian goalie Yaroslav Askarov gave up three goals on 16 shots before being pulled after two periods. Yegor Guskov stopped 5-of-7 shots in relief in the third.

Helenius leads Finland past Germany

Samuel Helenius scored twice as Finland topped Germany 3-1 on Sunday in the first day of play at the world junior hockey championship.
Joel Maata had the eventual winner in the second period for Finland (1-0) with Brad Lambert assisting on both of Helenius's goals.

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Leevi Merilainen made 23 saves for the win in net.
Luca Munzenberger was the lone scorer for Germany (0-1), which got 19 stops from goaltender Nikita Quapp.
WATCH l Getting to know Team Canada at the World Juniors:

Media Video | (not specified) : Getting to know Team Canada at the World Juniors

Caption: The holiday break and the World Juniors go hand in hand, and Rob Pizzo makes sure you are all set.

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