Team USA clinches spot in world junior playoffs

The defending champs blew past Germany to improve their record to 3-0 in Sweden.

December 30, 2013 at 3:03AM
USA forward Ryan Hartman (21) celebrates a goal as the puck gets past Germany goaltender Patrick Klein and forward Frederik Tiffels (17) during the second period of a World Junior hockey game in Malmo, Sweden on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn)
U.S. forward Ryan Hartman celebrated a goal as the puck slid past Germany goaltender Patrick Klein, one of four for the Americans in the second period Sunday. FRANK GUNN Canadian Press via Associated Press (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

MALMO, Sweden – Notre Dame's Vince Hinostroza helped the defending champion United States wrap up a spot in the playoff round in the world junior hockey tournament, scoring twice and adding two assists in an 8-0 victory over Germany on Sunday.

Boston University's Matt Grzelcyk had a goal and two assists. The United States (3-0) will finish Group A play Tuesday against Canada (1-0-1).

"For the most part, we played the game the right way," said U.S. coach Don Lucia, the coach of the Gophers. "We didn't get sloppy. We had a lot of puck possession time and we were unselfish with it."

The United States had six power-play goals, four in the second period. Gophers freshman Hudson Fasching scored, as did Wisconsin's Nic Kerdiles and Will Butcher, Riley Barber of Miami (Ohio) and Boston College's Steve Santin.

Anthony Stolarz — the Edison, N.J., goalie who plays for the London Knights in the Ontario Hockey League — stopped all 15 shots he faced.

"It was a pretty easy game," Stolarz said. "They didn't get many scoring opportunities and the defense did a good job of keeping the shots to the outside. We played really disciplined."

Germany dropped to 0-3.

In Group B, Andre Burakowsky had three goals in Sweden's 10-0 victory over Norway. Sweden improved to 3-0, and Norway dropped to 0-3.

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