US ends scoring woes with 10-0 victory over Kazakhstan in relegation round at hockey worlds

Gilroy’s hat trick leads US past Kazakhstan 10-0

COLOGNE, Germany — Matt Gilroy scored a hat trick and the United States ended its scoring struggles Saturday with a 10-0 victory over Kazakhstan in the relegation round at the ice hockey world championship.

TJ Oshie, Kyle Okposo, Nick Foligno, Ryan Potulny, Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Kennedy and Chris Kreider also scored for the Americans, who had only tallied four goals in three first-round games. Dubinksy also had four assists.

St. Louis Blues forward Oshie opened the scoring just 55 seconds into the game and assisted on a goal 18 seconds later by New York Islanders’ forward Okposo. Gilroy, the Rangers rookie defenseman, added two goals by the 10:20 mark of the second and Scott Gordon’s team had the offensive boost it had been seeking.

“It was good to get some goals on that first shift. And the rest of the guys just kind of fed off it,” Oshie said. “We’re really not where we want to be. We wanted to play in the other bracket. But it’s nice to get the monkey off our back and get a win.”

The onslaught continued in the second period with Foligno, Potulny, Gilroy, Dubinsky and Kennedy finding the back of the net for a 9-0 lead.

Kreider finished off the scoring in the final minute.

The Americans next play Sunday against France.

“We have to go home and get some sleep,” Gilroy said. “The start will be the key. We need to have a good start like we did today.”

The U.S. is in the relegation round for the first time since 2003 and must finish in the top two of the four-team Group G.

France beat Italy 2-1 in the other relegation game after goals by Baptiste Amar and Laurent Gras. Michele Strazzabosco scored for Italy.