USA 5, FINLAND 0

Five different players scored and Jimmy Howard (Syracuse, N.Y./Detroit Red Wings/University of Maine) made 18 saves, as the U.S. Men's National Team blanked defending champion and tournament co-host Finland, 5-0, in preliminary-round play this afternoon at the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Championship at Hartwall Arena.

Team USA won for the fifth time in six games and has secured a spot in the tournament quarterfinals for the eighth time in the last nine years, regardless of the outcome of its final preliminary-round game Tuesday (May 15) against Switzerland.

Max Pacioretty scored the only goal of the first period with just 3:41 remaining, as he battled in front of the crease and was able to put a bouncing puck past Finland netminder Kari Lehtonen.

The U.S. scored two goals in the final five minutes of the second period and led 3-0 after 40 minutes. Kyle Palmieri drove to the net and banged home a rebound for his first goal of the tournament at 15:33, before Justin Faulk scored his fourth goal of the tournament off a power-play blast from the left circle at 17:56.

Team USA tacked on two more goals in the third period to secure the victory. First, Chris Butler recorded his first goal of the tournament with a wrist shot from the top of the left circle at 2:12. Bobby Ryan scored the final goal of the game at 4:08 with a shot in tight that found its way into the back of the net.

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USA Shuts Out Finland Watch Highlights from Team USA's 5-0 victory over Finland on Saturday in Helsinki