US tops Austria 5-1 in opener at ice hockey worlds

KOSICE, Slovakia – Chris Kreider started the scoring and the United States cruised to a 5-1 victory over Austria in its opening game at the world ice hockey championship Saturday.

Kreider converted the Americans' first goal of the tournament after 14:42, and Blake Wheeler shot into an empty net 2:33 later to double the advantage.

Austria replied with Marco Pewal's shot over goalie Al Montoya's shoulder, but Yan Stastny restored the two-goal advantage later in the second period. Kevin Shattenkirk and Craig Smith each scored in the third.

In Bratislava, Finland beat Denmark 5-1 to avenge an embarrassing 4-1 loss to the Danes in the group stage of last year's worlds.