The mighty USA team beat Latvia 5-2.
Luke Hughes, Red Savage, Chazz Lucius, Sean Berens and Jimmy Snogrodd score for USA
Andrei Ravinskis and Niks Vinko responded on behalf of Latvia.
Both teams were scoreless after the first half and tied 2-2 in the final.
Switzerland is the surprise of Finland
Earlier today, Attilio Biasca scored the winning goal 41 seconds into extra time as Switzerland opened the tournament with a 3-2 victory over Finland.
Lorenzo Canonica and Jeremy Gabola also scored for Switzerland (1-0-0). Jonas Tebel had 14 assists, while Kevin Bash stopped 14 shots.
Konsta Kapanen and Kali Vaisanen fought for Finland (0-0-1). Aku Koskinfo saved 24 balls.
Finland entered the tournament having finished runner-up at the recent World Junior Championships, losing to Canada 3-2 in overtime in August. The tournament has been postponed due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
The United States was scheduled to face Latvia and Canada began their title defense against the Czech Republic later in the day.
Sweden beat Latvia
Philipp Pestedt and Isaac Rosen scored two goals and an assist as Sweden got off to a strong start at the World Junior Hockey Championships on Monday with an 11-0 victory over Austria.
Karl Lindbom made 13 saves in the knockout win, while making an assist for Sweden (1-0-0).
Thomas Farmeyer stopped 23 of 29 shots in 30:28 before pulling away to Benedict O’Shegan, who allowed five of Austria’s 22 shots (0-1-0).
