Blackhawks at IIHF Worlds: Alex Vlasic Notches Assist, USA Tops Poland

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vlasic helped Team USA take care of Poland on Friday at the 2024 IIHF World Championship. The breakout blueliner recorded an assist on the Americans' first goal, which helped jumpstart a 4-1 victory.

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It was a scoreless affair until midway through the second period when Vlasic advanced the puck out of his own end and up the ice to a streaking Brady Tkachuk. The U.S. captain initiated a 3-on-1 rush and fed a pass to Michael Kesselring, who buried a wrist shot for the game's first goal.

Tkachuk notched a goal of his own late in the middle frame before Cole Caufield made it a 3-0 game just over a minute into the third period. Poland answered back with a marker but Caufield iced the Americans' victory with his second goal of the game later in the period.

Vlasic finished with one assist — his second of the tournament — and one shot in 14:41 of ice time. His Blackhawks teammate, Seth Jones , was held off the score sheet but notched three shots and a +1 rating in 19:53 of ice time.

The Blackhawks' blue line duo and Team USA return to action Sunday when they face Kazakhstan at 9:20 AM CT.

Related: Blackhawks at IIHF Worlds: Petr Mrazek, Czechia Shut Out Austria

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