The U.S. jumped to an early power play opportunity six minutes into the opening frame. Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) skated down the slot and dished to a driving Roybal who wound his shot up to the top of the net out of the reach of South Korean netminder Jae Woong Lee.
Roybal added his second of the period three minutes later. Kevin Mckee (Chicago, Ill.) rang a shot off the crossbar, but Rico Roman (Portland, Ore.) was there to collect the loose puck. Roman found Roybal at the top of the crease and buried it. Mckee would get revenge on the crossbar, scoring his first of the tournament with seven minutes left in the period, firing a wrist shot that was partially blocked by Lee. The puck’s momentum carried itself to the back of the net, giving the U.S. a 3-0 advantage heading into the first intermission.
Team USA’s lead was extended by four goals in the second period. Josh Pauls (Greenbrook, N.J.) skated down ice on the power play beside Roman, who was sprung on a backhanded dish and finished far side out of the reach of Lee’s blocker. Roybal added another on the power play, this time thanks to a five-on-three advantage, using his speed to find an opening and zip through traffic for his third of the game. Josh Misciewiez (La Grange, Ill.) was the recipient of a Farmer backhand pass, allowing him to tap in his first of the tournament. Roybal and Mckee combined for the final tally of the period, as Mckee’s shot was partially stopped by Lee’s glove, but Roybal was there to clean up the rebound making it 7-0.
Travis Dodson (Deming, N.M.) opened third period scoring by forcing a turnover while on the penalty kill, executing a give-and-go pass to perfection with Roybal, ending with Dodson’s first goal of the tournament. Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.) earned the shutout, extending his career U.S. record to 15 career shutouts.
Team USA returns to action on Friday (June 25) in a semifinal game against the winner of the South Korea vs. Norway quarterfinal matchup.
