United States edges Slovakia on opening night at WJHC

Matthew Knies, Mackie Samoskevich, and Landon Slaggert scored as the United States beat Slovakia 3-2 in both nations' first preliminary-round game at the World Junior Championship on Sunday.

Knies and Samoskevich tallied in the first period, and Slaggert added another in the second.

Slovakia ralled in the final frame. Martin Chromiak tallied early in the third, and Dalibor Dvorsky thought he'd added one later in the final frame, but the latter marker was disallowed due to a high stick. Chromiak then scored again with under three minutes to go.

The U.S. outshot Slovakia 42-25 - including a 23-2 margin in the second period - as Slovakian goaltender Simon Latkoczy made 39 saves. American netminder Drew Commesso turned aside 23 shots for the win.

USA's next game is against Switzerland on Tuesday, while Slovakia gets right back at it against Sweden on Monday.