USA Routs Host Nation Belarus In 2014 Ice Hockey World Championship Opener

Igor Burdetskiy May 9, 2014

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Belarus goalie Andrei Mezin attempts to make the save while USA's Kevin Hayes battles for the puck against Alexei Yefimenko. (Photo by Andre Ringuette / HHOF-IIHF Images)

Host nation Belarus came out flying immediately against the Americans in the 2014 World Championship opener but could not capitalize on their early chances to capture a lead. Team USA however took full advantage of their opportunities, including scoring on their first power-play of the game to put themselves up by a goal through a period of play. For the first thirty-five minutes of play the two teams exchanged chances back and forth in a one goal game. Then in a span of less than four minutes, Team USA tallied three goals by Belarus’ netminder, Andrei Mezin, to put themselves up comfortably 4-0.

The home crowd at Minsk Arena was stunned just as much as their own team was at how quickly the game started to get away from Belarus. With under a minute to go in the second period, Belarus finally broke through Team USA’s netminder, Tim Thomas, on their second power-play of the game to make it 4-1 going into the second intermission. There was life once again on both Belarus’ bench and in the crowd but it would be too little to late for the host nation to rally back against the Americans. USA would go on to add two more goals late in the third period and take the game with a decisive 6-1 margin.

Although Belarus finished their opener in disappointment, the host nation turned its attention over to celebrating the nation’s holiday called Victory Day with fireworks for the evening. Team USA’s victory gives them three points to start the preliminary round but the team has no time to celebrate as they must look ahead to their next game against last year’s silver medial winner, Switzerland, for Saturday’s matchup. Belarus will have Saturday off and will take on Kazakhstan on Sunday, where they look to rebound and pickup their first points of the preliminary round.

The opening games of the 2014 World Championship saw many interesting finishes as half of the teams participating in the tournament took the ice. There’s still six more games ahead for both Belarus and USA and one can only speculate that everyone is in for quite the tournament over the course of the next two weeks.

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Igor Burdetskiy

Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & CEO at Hooked on Hockey Magazine

I grew up playing Ball and Roller Hockey day and night somewhat religiously throughout elementary and middle school. The two don't compare though when I lace up the skates and hit the ice. I live and breathe hockey beyond the perspective of "it's just a game" and I will gladly talk hockey for hours with anyone. Hockey is more than just a lifestyle, it's a culture of passionate people who make memories every time the puck is dropped. Hockey has not only helped me get through some of the hardest times in life but has created some of the best memories to date. Want to talk hockey with me? Shoot me an email: iburdetskiy@hookedonhockey.com and let's talk some hockey!