Olympic Hockey: Auston Matthews powers USA to 5-1 win over Germany with two goals, one assist
While securing the 1-seed would have been the tallest task imaginable following Canada’s 10-2 rout of France earlier in the day, the United States slid comfortably into the 2-seed with their performance against Germany. Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Zach Werenski kicked off the scoring with nine seconds left in the period with Matthews picking up an assist.
Matthews extended the lead to 2-0 in the second period with a power play goal after banking in a rebound off a shot from Minnesota Wild defenceman Quinn Hughes. Fellow Wild defenceman Brock Faber then made it 3-0 near the end of the period with assists coming from both Tkachuk brothers to carry the 3-goal advantage into the third period.
Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson wasted little time extending the lead once the third frame began, scoring to make it 4-0 just under two minutes into the final frame. About five minutes later, Matthews added his second goal of the game in a near identical spot to his first goal, redirecting a shot from Ottawa Senators defenceman Jake Sanderson off the crossbar before slapping it home on his second attempt.
A goal from Senators forward Tim Stutzle deprived USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck of the shutout, but it was too little too late as the States eventually sealed the win. It was a solid response game from Matthews, who now shares the team lead with Matthew Tkachuk with five points in three games.