American 19-year-old William Zellers, who currently plays for the NHL team Boston, distinguished himself with two goals and an assist.
The USA has won the tournament two years in a row and is aiming for a third title. Two years ago, they took the gold from Sweden in the final in Gothenburg. Now the teams are in the same group and will meet for the first time at midnight on New Year's Eve, Swedish time.
In the other group, it was a more even story, but ultimately ended with Canada losing 7–5 to the Czech Republic. Both teams play again on Sunday. The Czech Republic will face Denmark and Canada will face Latvia.
