In a dramatic turn at the IIHF World Championship, Slovakia defeated the USA in overtime with a final score of 5-4. Key performances included Simon Nemec, who not only played the most for Slovakia with a total ice time of 22:57 but also scored a crucial goal and assisted on the game-winning goal. The USA staged a notable comeback in the third period, overcoming a 4-1 deficit with goals from Shane Pinto, Brady Tkachuk, and Luke Hughes, the latter tying the game to force overtime. Despite their efforts and a goalie change with Trey Augustine replacing Alex Nedeljkovic, Slovakia clinched the victory with Nemec's shot in overtime, slightly deflected by Milos Kelemen.
Simon Nemec played a team-high 22:57 for Slovakia today. Ended with 1 goal and 1 assist... that assist on the game-winning, overtime goal. #NJDevils
Slovakia defeats Team USA in their Worlds prelim meeting. Martin Fehervary with an assist and ranked second in TOI (21:38). Ryan Leonard got just 4:48 minutes of ice time dressed as an extra winger. #ALLCAPS
Slovakia defeats Team USA in their Worlds prelim meeting. Martin Fehervary with an assist and ranked second in TOI (21:38). Ryan Leonard got just 4:48 minutes of ice time dressed as an extra winger #ALLCAPS
Slovakia defeats Team USA in overtime at the #MensWorlds 🇸🇰 🎥@IIHFHockey https://t.co/JPila9aXuZ
Slovakia beats the US in OT https://t.co/Hr1Lqz2rfz
Slovakia beats USA in the last minute of OT. Slight deflection in front of Trey Augustine by Milos Kelemen off of a Simon Nemec shot. USA salvages a point with the third-period comeback. Currently fourth in the group.
NEMO WINS IT FOR SLOVAKIA! Another massive shot from the blueline! #NJDevils
USA and Slovakia going to OT at #MensWorlds. USA came back from a 4-1 deficit to start the third period with goals from Shane Pinto, Brady Tkachuk and Luke Hughes.
Luke doing Luke things! Have a look at the #NJDevils defenseman’s game-tying goal: https://t.co/T8S2q1zOb6
USA out-shoots Slovakia 21-7 in the second period, but leave it trailing 4-1 with 20 minutes to play at #IIHFWorlds. Minnesota Wild signee Samuel Hlavaj with 29 saves through two periods.
A better look at Simon Nemec’s goal…! Just unleashes his shot and 🎯 #NJDevils https://t.co/Z0OnZLXu6U
Simon Nemec hits his target! 🎯 What a goal by the #NJDevils defenseman! 👀 https://t.co/Esx5aGx1pd
USA gives up two quick ones to Slovakia after scoring themselves and now trail 4-1. Trey Augustine (DET) coming in for Alex Nedeljkovic. #IIHFWorlds
Nemo! 🎯 Simon Nemec unleashes a bomb on the Slovak power play and puts Slovakia up 3-1 on the USA. What a shot!
Simon Nemec unleashes an absolute bomb of a shot and his rebound is cleaned up to give Slovakia a 1-0 lead. Primary assist ✔️ Nemo said at his exit meetings that he wants to have a better, more powerful shot… good start! #NJDevils https://t.co/akabdjhkqC
“Man, those Hughes brothers….They can skate, they can fire and that was an absolute beauty.” Luke has his first goal at the Worlds. #NJDevils https://t.co/xqK1oqGdX3
There he goes! Luke Hughes with a goal at Worlds for USA! #NJDevils https://t.co/mZAb6Eb931
After one period of play, Simon Nemec leads Slovakia in ice time with 7:17 TOI. #NJDevils
"If Slovakia is going to medal, it's because of these two players." - TSN's Dave Reid on #NJDevils Simon Nemec and Habs Juraj Slafkovsky. #NJDevils
You can watch Nemec and Slovakia take on Germany on ESPN+ at the same time. #NJDevils https://t.co/Ef9bCLHJ38