Tage Thompson OT hero for U.S. at hockey worlds after it blew 4-goal lead against Norway
Sabres forward notches hat trick in Denmark along with Ducks prospect Stian Solberg
Tage Thompson completed his hat trick with a power-play goal in overtime to give the United States a 6-5 win over Norway after the Americans squandered a four-goal lead at the hockey world championship on Wednesday in Herning, Denmark.
Norway forced overtime when defenceman Stian Solberg scored with 1:27 left in regulation, as the Anaheim Ducks prospect completed a hat trick of his own.
Thompson, a Buffalo Sabres centre, scored the winner 4:09 into overtime for the U.S., which has eight points in Group B while Norway earns its first point.
For the Americans, captain Clayton Keller had a goal and two assists, and Cutter Gauthier and Michael McCarron added a goal each for the U.S. to rebound from a loss to Switzerland.
Gauthier put the U.S. 1-0 ahead 4:50 into the game before Keller hit the top corner of the net to double the lead 7:18 into the frame.
Gauthier is tied with Canada forward Bo Horvat atop the goal scoring table with four goals.
Solberg reduced the deficit to 2-1 on the power play before Thompson and McCarron completed the four-goal period for the U.S.
Thompson added his second 2:55 into the middle period for a 5-1 lead.
Solberg stellar on power play
Norway was not done, though.
Solberg had his second goal on a power play for Norway to trail 5-2 and Martin Ronnild added another one on a breakaway still in the frame.
Midway through the third, Noah Steen made it a one-goal game before Norway pulled its goalie for an extra attacker, and Solberg scored to make it 5-5.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Zach Werenski had an assist for the U.S. in his first game at the worlds. He arrived Monday but his equipment was delayed, and he couldn't play in the 3-0 loss to Switzerland later that day.
Werenski is one of three finalists for the Norris Trophy for the NHL's top defenceman.
In Stockholm, Slovakia beat France 2-1.
WATCH | Crosby, Horvat power Canada past France on Tuesday:
Sweden 6, Latvia 0
Sweden shut out Latvia 6-0 for its fourth straight win to take the Group A lead in Stockholm with 12 points. Canada trails by three but has a game in hand.
Elias Lindholm and Lucas Raymond had a goal and an assist and Rasmus Andersson, Anton Bengtsson, Adam Larsson and Mika Zibanejad also scored one each for Sweden.
Goalie Samuel Ersson made 20 saves.
Latvia has six points.
- Co-host Denmark beat Kazakhstan 5-1 in Herning for the first win in Group B. Both teams are on three points.
- In Stockholm, Slovakia beat France 2-1 for its second win and has seven points. France remains on one point.
