STOCKHOLM — Chicago Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar scored twice to help the United States rally for a 5-2 victory over the Czech Republic and hand the titleholder its first defeat at the ice hockey world championship Tuesday.
The victory lifted the Americans to second place in Group B in Herning, Denmark. Switzerland won the group with the Czechs finishing third.
“I loved our effort and how we played to our identity,” U.S. coach Ryan Warsofsky said. “Give our power play credit too. Overall, great team effort and a good step forward as we continue to build.”
Nazar deflected a shot into the net to tie the score at 2 on a power play 1:35 into the third period. He scored on another power play for the 21-year-old’s sixth goal in the tournament.
Logan Cooley roofed a shot from close range to make it 4-2 with 6:31 to go, and Andrew Peeke finished it off with a goal into an empty net.
Josh Doan gave the Americans a 1-0 lead 9:25 into the game on a rebound with a backhand between the pads of goalie Karel Vejmelka.
The U.S. dominated the first period, outshooting its opponent 23-8. The Czechs came back in the second as David Pastrnak tied the score on a breakaway 41 seconds into the period by beating his Boston Bruins teammate Jeremy Swayman for his sixth goal of the tournament.
Pastrnak then set up Martin Necas in the left circle to one-time a shot that put the Czechs 2-1 up 8:33 into the second period.
Earlier, Austria reached the playoffs for the first time in 31 years by defeating Latvia 6-1 to become the fourth and final team to advance to the quarterfinals from Group A.
Sweden and Canada face each other later Tuesday for the top spot in the group. Finland, another qualified team, beat Slovakia 2-1.
Switzerland beat Kazakhstan 4-1 in Herning and moved to the top of Group B before later games.
Kazakhstan was relegated after five years in the top division.
Switzerland finished with 19 points, two ahead of the Americans and Czechs
The winner between Germany and Denmark later Tuesday will determine the fourth and final team from Group B to advance.