SOCHI, RUSSIA – So much for any thought of a letdown. Phil Kessel made sure that wouldn't happen.
Kessel scored the first of his three goals 64 seconds after the opening faceoff to spark Team USA to a 5-1 men's hockey victory against Slovenia at Shayba Arena.
Kessel's quick-trigger scoring erased any worry Team USA might come out flat after winning an emotional game against host Russia in a shootout less than 24 hours earlier.
"It was certainly a concern after the emotional game and getting ready for this game," U.S. coach Dan Bylsma said. "In the end we were fortunate that right out of the gate we got a couple of great skill plays and two goals there to get us that lead. To get up like we did — I thought that was very big for our team to look up and see the scoreboard and know that we were up in that game."
Kessel scored his second goal 4:33 into the first period, and the U.S. had control from that point on. The former Gopher completed his hat trick in the second period, becoming the first U.S. player to record a hat trick in the Olympics since John LeClair in 2002 against Finland.
"It's not about me, it's about the win," Kessel said. "We can still improve more, and we have to get a lot better."
Team USA remained undefeated in three games and earned an automatic berth in the quarterfinals. It will play the winner of Tuesday's Slovakia vs. Czech Republic qualification round game on Wednesday.
Team USA's other two goals came from Minnesota natives: David Backes and Ryan McDonagh. Joe Pavelski added three assists.
