Helsinki, Finland (Sports Network) - Kyle Okposo scored two goals, Max
Pacioretty registered a goal and two assists and the United States opened the
2012 World Championship with a 7-2 win over France in Helsinki.
Paul Stastny and Justin Faulk both collected three assists for the Americans,
who are seeking their first medal at this yearly event since capturing bronze
in 2004.
Tied 1-1 after 20 minutes, captain Jack Johnson and Bobby Ryan scored
consecutive power-play goals for the United States. Shortly after a penalty to
American Kyle Palmieri had expired, France's Pierre-Edouard Bellemare made it
a one-goal game again.
But Pacioretty lit the lamp with just 21.5 seconds remaining in the middle
frame to make it 4-2.
The Americans added goals from Jim Slater, Okposo and Jeff Petry in the third
period.
United States goaltender Jimmy Howard made 21 saves, while his French
counterpart, former NHLer Cristobal Huet, stopped 28 shots.
In the preliminary round opener from Stockholm, Christoph Ullmann set up all
three goals and Dennis Endras turned aside 22 shots in Germany's 3-0 win over
Italy.
The Sports Network