David Backes of the Blues, celebrates his goal with Team USA opponents. (photo/St. Louis Blues)
St. Louis Blues goalie Jaroslav Halak was pulled late in the second period after Team USA scored their 5th goal in the opening game of the 2014 Sochi Olympics for the Americans. Team USA beat Slovakia, 7-1.
Halak allowed five goals on 25 shots. The game was tied 1-1 just 24 seconds into the second period after Slovakia tied it, but the Americans dominated the second. Paul Stastny, who grew up in St. Louis scored two goals and Blues captain David Backes also scored. Teammates T.J. Oshie and Kevin Shattenkirk assisted on Stastny’s second goal as Oshie fed Shattenkirk over the blue line, who slid a pass across the slot to Stastny, who beat Halak. That made the score 5-1, prompting a change in net for Slovakia.
Oshie had two assists in the second and two shots on goal. Backes and Shattenkirk each had two shots on goal as well as Team USA outshot Slovakia 33-23.
Team USA will face Russia. The game will be carried live at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday.
