The Slovaks squandered a big lead against the USA and the game was decided in overtime! Kelemen decided the game

The Slovak national ice hockey team defeated the USA 5:4 after overtime in the third game and scored an important victory at the 2024 World Championship. The Slovaks started very actively against the Americans, which led to a quick lead, which the opponent pulled back in the regular season, but in overtime Miloš Kelemen decided the game with a point after a shot by Šimon Nemec.

The Americans didn’t catch Slovakia’s fast start

Team USA entered the duel with Slovakia as big favourites after a two-day break, but their opponent prepared perfectly.

With an active start, the Slovaks quickly gained the advantage and the Americans didn’t know where to jump first. Already at 3:17 Slovakia took the lead when Miloš Kelemen took a pass into the forechecking area and beat the American goalkeeper with his backhand for the first time.

An excellent start to the game paid off for the Slovaks and they deservedly took the lead. The Americans evened the pace with their opponent, but they couldn’t find a way to overcome Samuel Hlavaj.

On the other hand, at 11:26 Tomas Tatar cleverly passed the puck in front of the net, where Libor Hudacek took it and sent Slovakia into a two-goal lead.

Moreover, the US team did not handle the end of the opening period, when they caused a big scramble. Captain Brady Tkachuk was the main actor, dropping his helmet and gloves and taking on several opponents. Along with the penalty, he also earned a big boo from the Slovak fans.

The Americans’ reduction in the second period led to an even bigger Slovak lead

The start of the second period was better for the team from overseas, who scored a contact goal at 24:48. Matthew Boldy made the most of the pressure by knocking the puck into the open space between the three poles and denying Hlavaj a clean sheet.

The goal did not hurt Slovakia. They were still aware that they were the better team in the first period, which they proved halfway through the game when they scored two more quick goals. First, the two-goal lead was restored by Šimon Nemec, whose shot from the rim surprised Alex Nedeljkovic.

At 28:47, the score was already 4:1 for Slovakia. Patrik Koch didn’t hit as hard as Nemec, but he still beat the American goalie. Nedeljkovic left the ice after the fourth goal and Trey Augustine came in between the three sticks of the USA and made his World Championship debut.

Slovakia led 4-1 after two periods and was looking for an important three points in Group B. The Americans clearly outplayed the Slovaks in the second period, but only once out of 21 shots, while their opponents only needed seven attempts for two hits.

Team USA didn’t give up and caught up with the Slovaks

Slovakia entered the last 20 minutes with a three-goal lead, but it was reduced after less than five minutes. Shane Pinto drove in front of the net and beat Hlavaj with a cross.

The Slovaks managed to outplay the Americans in the beginning of the duel, but as the end approached, it was the opponent from overseas that showed its strength. The American captain Tkachuk showed his offensive qualities as well and expertly reduced the difference to a single goal.

The Slovaks started to lose their comfortable lead. The nervousness was also felt by the fans, who could not get their team to finish the game. Young Luke Hughes took advantage of this, showing his offensive qualities and equalizing from between the circles.

Slovakia finally got two points

Slovakia was obviously disappointed with the squandered lead, but there were still two points left in the game. So they entered the overtime active again and succeeded. Nemec’s shot was crossed by Kelemen, who first opened the score and then closed the game.

The Slovaks were in it for three points for a long time, but the Americans made a great comeback and forced overtime. In the end, our eastern neighbour succeeded and scored two points for a 5:4 result. Slovakia is now in second place in the table, the USA is fourth.

Source: IIHF