Slovakia rides 2nd-period outburst to upset U.S. at WJHC

Slovakia scored three times within a 3:19 span in the second period en route to a 6-3 upset of Team USA during Wednesday's action at the world juniors.

The U.S. carried a 2-1 lead into the middle frame, but Dalibor Dvorsky buried the equalizer midway through the period on the power play. Robert Baco gave Slovakia its first lead less than two minutes later, and Filip Mesar scored off a deflection 92 seconds after that.

USA outshot Slovakia 36-26. American netminder Kaidan Mbereko made 25 saves for an .800 save percentage in the losing effort, while Slovakian goaltender Adam Gajan dazzled with a 33-save performance.

Peter Repcik converted on a partial breakaway to pad the Slovaks' lead in the third period. American forward Tyler Boucher netted his second goal of the game on the power play and with the goalie pulled, but that's as close as the U.S. would get as Alex Ciernik iced the contest with an empty-netter.

Libor Nemec crashed the net to draw first blood for Slovakia in the game's opening minutes, but the Americans responded with goals from Boucher and Gavin Brindley in the first period.

Boucher and Gajan were named players of the game for their respective countries.

American forward Kenny Connors was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct after throwing a late hit on Slovakia's David Natny, while Baco earned a five-minute major for cross-checking.

The victory marked Slovakia's first win and Team USA's first loss at the tournament. Slovakia was coming off a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Finland on Tuesday, while the U.S. narrowly avoided an upset against Latvia on Monday.

The Americans will face Switzerland on Thursday, while Slovakia will play Latvia on Friday.

Team USA's loss wasn't the first upset to take place at the tournament; the Canadians fell 5-2 to Czechia on Boxing Day.