TEAM USA ROLLS OVER SLOVAKIA

Americans on 5-game winning streak

COLOGNE, GERMANY The United States defeated Slovakia 6-1 Sunday to stretch its winning run at the world ice hockey championship to five games ahead of its Group A showdown with Russia.

Johnny Gaudreau finished with two goals to take his tournament tally to six, and an assist, while Jimmy Howard made 19 saves on his fourth start for the Americans, whose confidence seems to be growing.

Still, American head coach Jeff Blashill saw room for improvement before the next game against Russia on Tuesday.

“One thing we have to clean up is puck management and turning pucks over,” Blashill said.

Kevin Hayes and Brady Skjei played their first game since joining the team following the New York Rangers’ elimination from the NHL playoffs.

Skjei had an assist while Hayes picked up two and Blashill praised both for their performances.

Clayton Keller, the youngest player at the tournament, opened the scoring, assisted by Anders Lee and Skjei. It was the 18-year-old Keller’s fifth goal of the championship.

Gaudreau followed suit early in the second period, set up by Hayes before Martin Gernat pulled one back.

Two quick-fire goals from Christian Dvorak, assisted by Gaudreau, and Jacob Trouba put the U.S. in a comfortable position.

Gaudreau grabbed his second of the game to start the third period — Hayes again had the assist — before Lee scored on a power play.

The U.S. moved top of Group A, one point ahead of Russia, which has a game in hand.

Meanwhile, the Czech Republic dented France’s hopes of making the quarter-finals with a 5-2 victory in Paris.

Canada, which sits tied for the lead of Group B with the Czechs at 13 points, plays Norway on Monday. The top four in each group go through to the quarter-finals.