Boston University connections help U.S. past Slovakia at World Juniors

Boston University’s Matt Grzelcyk and Ryan Hartman each had a goal and an assist, and six U.S. players scored in a 6-3 victory over Slovakia on Saturday at the World Junior Championship in Malmo, Sweden.

[scg_html_wjc2014]Terriers recruit Jack Eichel, BU’s Dan O’Regan, Stefan Matteau and Miami’s Riley Barber also scored for the Americans, who improved to 2-0 in pool play.

The U.S. built a 3-0 lead on power-play goals by Eichel and O’Regan in the first period and Hartman 4:22 into the second.

But Slovakia responded with two power-play goals of their own — by Milan Kolena and Martin Reway — before the end of the second.

The Americans, however, scored three even-strength goals in the third period to pull away.

Providence’s Jon Gillies made 27 saves for the U.S., which plays Germany on Sunday.