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Slovakia played a close and competitive game against the United States, with the outcome of this heated duel decided in the final minutes of the game. The USA held the lead throughout most of the contest, but the home team were able to equalise and pull themselves back into contention multiple times. After Slovakia failed to convert on a golden 5-on-3 powerplay in the third period, the Americans struck in the 59th minute and added two more empty-net goals to seal the deal.
Penalties: 4:6. PP goals: 1:1. SH goals: 0:0.
Referees: Hronský, Crman – Hercog, Konc ml.. Attendance: 3258.
Report
The USA opened the scoring early as Kalder Varga struck on the breakaway in the fourth minute of the game, but Ozogány quickly equalised to level the score. After trading chances, the Americans regained the lead in the second period through Levi Harper’s powerplay goal, only for Ozogány to tie it again some 15 minutes later. Blake Zielinski made it 3:2 before the second intermission.
Slovakia tied it a third time, again thanks to in-form Ozogány, in the 10th minute of the final period but failed to capitalise on a 5-on-3 advantage that came after, opening the door for the USA to deal a decisive final blow. Noah Davidson scored the game-winner in the 59th minute after waves of pressure from Team USA’s young stars and the two last-minute, empty-net goals from Rogowski and Bogas were the cherries on top of a hard-fought, yet somewhat lucky, win for the Americans at the start of their 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup campaign.