The U.S. men’s hockey team routed South Korea 13-1 in world championship group play Friday, its most lopsided win at worlds since 1962, according to USA Hockey.
Captain Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks and Charlie McAvoy of the Boston Bruins each tallied two goals and three assists in Herning, Denmark. The U.S. has won all five of its games -- its first five-game streak to open worlds since 1933, according to TeamUSA.org -- and should clinch a quarterfinal berth this weekend.
The 12-goal differential was the U.S.’ largest margin of victory at worlds since a 14-2 win over Norway in 1962. The U.S. last won an Olympic game by 12 goals or more in 1948.
The U.S. became the latest nation to beat up on South Korea, making its worlds debut after winning a lower-division world title last year. The Americans outshot the Olympic host 57-13.
Finland beat South Korea 8-1 last Saturday, and Canada did so 10-0 a day later. Through five of seven group-play games, South Korea has a goal differential of minus-39.
South Korea also lost all three of its group-play games in its Olympic debut in PyeongChang by a combined 14-1 before being eliminated by Finland 5-2 in the playoffs.
The U.S. is trying to earn the nation’s first world title since 1960, when the Olympics doubled as worlds, and third medal in six years. Its only title at a standalone worlds came in 1933.
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