Johnny Gaudreau and Vince Trocheck each scored two goals and had an assist as the U.S. beat Slovakia 9-3 on Monday to stay alive for a medal in the World Junior Championships.
The U.S. team is now 2-2 in the WJC and advance to the quarterfinals as the third seed out of Group B. It will play the Czech Republic out of Group A on Wednesday.
Gaudreau is a sophomore at Boston College and his Eagles could have used him on Sunday night. They lost 8-1 to the Gophers in the Mariucci Classic. Gophers freshman defenseman Mike Reilly, also playing for the U.S. team, ad a goal, too, against the Slovaks.
Mario Lucia, the son of Gophers coach Don Lucia, had an assist for the U.S. Mario is a freshman at Notre Dame, the Gophers' next opponent on Tuesday of next week.
Both Reilly and Lucia were a plus-1 for the game.
The U.S. team led 5-2 after one period, 8-2 after two and outshot Slovakia 40-29.
"A lot of guys that haven't been scoring found the net tonight, like John Gaudreau and Vince Trocheck," said Phil Housley, head coach of the U.S. team, according to a USA Hockey news release. "Our power play was sharp tonight as was our penalty kill. Still, we need to improve our discipline and stay out of the penalty box as we look ahead to the quarterfinals."
