USA vs Hungary

The Americans seized control early. Justin Faulk opened the scoring at 09' of the first period, converting a feed from Tommy Novak to give the USA a 1-0 lead.

After a brief altercation between Michael Sasson and Bence Horvath saw both players sent off for roughing, Hungary's B. Stipsicz took a penalty of his own at 17'. The Americans needed just 55 seconds to capitalise — Matthew Tkachuk buried a power-play goal with assists from Novak and Matt Coronato to make it 2-0 heading into the first intermission.

The USA picked up where they left off. Just 02' into the middle frame, Ryan Leonard found the net with Novak picking up his third assist of the night, stretching the lead to 3-0.

Hungary's discipline unravelled. Tripping and high-sticking minors gave the Americans a two-man advantage, and Faulk made them pay at 07' with his second goal of the game — another power-play strike to push the score to 4-0.

But Hungary refused to fold. Csanad Erdely got the Magyars on the board at 10', finishing off a slick combination from Istvan Terbocs and Balazs Sebok to make it 4-1.

When Krisztian Nagy took an interference penalty at 17', the American power play struck again. Leonard scored his second of the night, assisted by Faulk and Tkachuk, restoring the four-goal cushion at 5-1 heading into the final period.

Hungary came out swinging in the third. After an interference call on Maxime Olivier at 02', the Hungarian power play couldn't convert, but they kept pressing.

Erdely struck again at 07', this time assisted by Milan Horvath and Janos Hari, cutting the deficit to 5-2 and giving Hungary a glimmer of hope. When Gergo Tornyai found the net at 14' with helpers from Terbocs and Sebok, suddenly it was a two-goal game at 5-3 with time still on the clock.

But the Americans slammed the door. With Hungary's net empty in search of a third straight goal, Tkachuk fired home his second of the game at 16' off a James Hagens feed to make it 6-3. Maxime Plante added the exclamation point at 19', assisted by Leonard and Novak, capping a four-assist night for the American centre.

Power-play clinic: The USA converted 4 of 6 opportunities with the man advantage, a staggering 67% conversion rate that ultimately decided the game.

Tommy Novak masterclass: The centre posted four assists, playing a direct role in more than half of the American goals. His chemistry with Faulk and Leonard was a constant threat.

Hungary's fight: Trailing 4-0 and staring at a rout, Hungary showed real character. Erdely's brace and Tornyai's strike made the final scoreline far more respectable than it might have been.

Discipline cost Hungary: Six penalties, all in the first two periods, gave the Americans extended looks on the power play that proved fatal.

With the win, the USA continue their push through the World Championship group stage, while Hungary will look to tighten their discipline ahead of crucial upcoming fixtures.