Shootout shocker sends US packing

After Nick Abruzzese tied the score in the final minute of the first period and Sam Hentges put the US up midway through the second, there were plenty of chances to build on the lead and get some extra breathing room. The Americans got four power plays, including three in the third and 1:22 of 3-on-3 time, and did not score on any of them.

The closest they got was Matty Beniers' shot off the post.

"We get the 5-on-3 and really that was the game-changer," Quinn said. "When you've got a 5-on-3 in that scenario and you don't capitalize on it, you're giving that other team a lot of hope, and they capitalized."

Slovakia capitalized with the net empty for an extra attacker when captain Marek Hrivik got his stick on the puck that was loose in the crease and put it in with 43.7 seconds left in regulation.

"Bounces happen," said Mann, who made 34 saves in regulation and OT. "It wasn't anyone's fault. It's hockey."

When the hockey moved to 3-on-3, the US outshot Slovakia 7-4 but again didn't finish. Matt Knies, whose parents are Slovak, had one of the best scoring chances in the final seconds of overtime but was stopped by Rybar.

Already missing top-four defenseman Jake Sanderson because of an undisclosed injury, the US played much of the game without top-line winger Brian O'Neill, who took a puck off his left foot midway through the second.

"That shows a lot: He sacrificed his body for the better of the team, and that's Brian," Miele said. "It was tough to lose him, but if you're going to lose someone sacrificing for the team like that, that's the best way to go."

Losing in a shootout was a crushing way to go for the US, which had practiced that each day since arriving in Beijing. Beniers, who was one of the team's best players against Slovakia, was under consideration but didn't make the cut.

"It's amazing that it's happening," said Slafkovsky, who at 17 is the youngest player in the tournament. "I can't wait to play in the semifinals."

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