Six players from Minnesota combined for 10 points as the U.S. team beat Austria 5-3 on Saturday in it first game of the IIHF Men's World Championship in Helsinki, Finland.
The Austrians took a 2-0 lead in the first six minutes, but the U.S. team scored one goal later in the opening period and four in the second.
Defenseman Erik Johnson of Bloomington had two goals for the U.S. team. Defenseman Justin Faulk of South St. Paul and forwards Nick Bjugstad of Blaine and Danny Kristo of Eden Prairie each had two assists.
Defenseman Jamie McBain of Edina and forward Drew LeBlanc of Hermantown had one assist apiece.
Shots were 29-21 in favor of the U.S., 14-7 in the second period alone.
Ex-Gopher Thomas Vanek played for the Austrians but did not have a point.
The U.S. team plays Latvia on Sunday.
