Led by Patrick Kane's goal and two assists, Team USA remains unbeaten with a 3-0 win over Germany. Keith Kinkaid recorded his second straight shutout in three starts for the Americans.

Germany came into the contest winless in two tries. The defending Olympic silver medalists have now lost their first three games of the tournament.

Based on recent history, this game was anything but a given for Team USA. Germany defeated the United States in their last two meetings at the 2016 and 2017 IIHF World Championships. Last year, Germany defeated Team USA 2-1 in the opening game of the World Championships in Cologne.

"We had some power plays and had some good chances, but then we got one on a 5-on-3, and it's great to capitalize on those," Kane said after the game. "And then we got one the next one, too. I think in a tournament like this it's huge to get the power play going and get some confidence."

A scoreless first period saw the United States outshoot Germany 11-7. The best chance would belong to Cam Atkinson who could not get the puck on the sweet spot of his stick while in the slot.

In the second period the Americans pressed the attack, putting solid pressure in the German end. Colin White was loose for a breakaway and tried a backhand but Niklas Treutle, making his World Championship debut, stuck his left pad out
to make the stop.

Germany would surrender a 1:05 two-man advantage when Jonas Muller and Daniel Pietta were called for slashing and hooking respectively.

As the Pietta penalty was winding down, Kane rifled a one-timer into the net. It was Kane's first goal of the tournament set up beautifully by Johnny Gaudreau. The marker came at 10:02.

"It was fun to score for the country," Kane said. "It was a great pass by Johnny, fun to be on the receiving end of that one. And it was a big goal for the team. It was 0-0. They came out strong and were hanging around, so it was good to break through and give us the lead."

Not long after the goal, Germany broke down again and took another penalty when
Moritz Muller was called for hooking. The USA capitalized on the power play and
made it 2-0 with Derek Ryan scoring. Kane shot deflected and the puck made its way to Ryan who potted it home.

Throughout, the Americans had consistent scoring opportunities in the game. They sustained pressure on offense. But Treutle kept his team in the game and was named Germany's best player. The USA attacked in waves and its best forwards got some excellent scoring chances. The 27-year-old Treutle plays for the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers in the DEL. He recently spent a year in North America with the Springfield Falcons where he played in 39 games and getting a call up with the Arizona Coyotes in the NHL where he would see action in two games.

With five and a half minutes remaining in the second period Germany had its first two-man advantage. Germany would manage some shots but the best chance would come for Team USA's Dylan Larkin who broke through the neutral zone and collected a puck that was cleared out. He collected the puck and went in on breakaway but was stopped.

Alex DeBrincat added a third goal that further put the game out of reach. Alone
in front, the Chicago Black Hawks forward scored his first goal.

Kinkaid was called upon to make some demanding stops and was able to do so. With less than eight minutes remaining in the game, he held his own against Yannic Seidenberg preserving the shutout.

After the game, Leon Draisaitl summed up his team's disappointment.

"We've been finding ways to lose the games here instead of finding ways to win them. It's frustrating, but we have to re-focus and get better for the next game. We have to move quicker out of our own zone, have fewer turnovers, don't take too many penalties."

JOHN SANFUL

http://https://www.new-iihf.com/en/events/2018/wm/news/2484/americans-continue-winning-ways
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