12/27/25 03:52:00
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12/27 15:47 CST Chrenko nets natural hat trick as Slovakia beats Germany 4-1 in
world junior championships
Chrenko nets natural hat trick as Slovakia beats Germany 4-1 in world junior
championships
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) --- Tomas Chrenko netted a natural hat trick for Slovakia,
leading a 4-1 win over Germany in the world junior championships on Saturday.
After Slovakia (1-0-0-1) an opening loss to 2025 fourth-place finishers Sweden
on Friday, Chrenko opened his tournament tally with a spinning shot with 9:27
left in the first period after an assist from Adam Nemec. He doubled that total
with 48 seconds left in the period, as Nemec set him up again in front of the
crease on a power play. Andreas Straka also assisted.
Chrenko added a third goal on another power play with 6:37 left in the second
period, assisted by Michal Svrcek and Luka Radivojevic.
Dustin Willhoft drew Germany (0-0-0-2) back within a two-goal deficit, scoring
off an assist from David Lewandowski with 8:51 remaining. He handled the pass
off the boards, then took it to his backhand and finished between goaltender
Michal Pradel's legs.
Adam Belusko scored an empty net goal with 53 seconds remaining after Germany
pulled goaltender Linus Vieillard.
Both teams continue play within Group A on Tuesday against a pair of strong
tournament contenders, with Germany facing Sweden, and Slovakia taking on the
back-to-back defending champion US team.
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