STOCKHOLM — Chicago Blackhawks center Frank Nazar scored twice to help the United States rally for a 5-2 victory over Czechia and hand the titleholder its first defeat at the ice hockey world championship on Tuesday.
The victory lifted the Americans to second place in Group B in Herning, Denmark. Switzerland won the group, with the Czechs finishing third and Denmark fourth.
Tuesday’s results determined the pairings for the quarterfinals on Thursday: Canada vs. Denmark, the United States vs. Finland, Sweden vs. Czechia and Switzerland vs. Austria.
“I loved our effort and how we played to our identity,” Team USA coach Ryan Warsofsky said. “Give our power play credit too. Overall, great team effort and a good step forward as we continue to build.”
Nazar, 21, who had 12 goals and 26 points with Chicago last season, deflected a shot into the net to tie the game at 2-2 1:35 into the final period on a power play. He scored again on another power play, his sixth tally of the tournament.
Josh Doan, also of the Utah Hockey Club, gave the Americans a 1-0 lead 9:25 into the game on a rebound with a backhand between the pads of goaltender Karel Vejmelka, Doan’s teammate in the NHL.
The U.S. dominated the first period, outshooting its opponent 23-8. The Czechs came back in the second, as Bruins superstar David Pastrnak tied the game on a breakaway 41 seconds into the period by beating his Boston teammate, Jeremy Swayman, for his sixth goal at the tournament.
Pastrnak then set up Colorado Avalanche forward Martin Necas in the left circle to one-time a shot that put the Czechs 2-1 up 8:33 into the middle period.
In Stockholm, Canada completed the preliminary stage with a 5-3 victory over Sweden to rebound from Monday’s 2-1 loss to Finland. Canada topped Group A with 19 points, with Sweden one point behind and Finland another two points back.
Travis Sanheim, a defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers, was in front of the goal to put Canada ahead 18 seconds into the game, the second fastest goal at the tournament. Bruins center Elias Lindholm scored the equalizer 3:29 later with a shorthanded goal on a breakaway with his seventh goal.
The Swedish team used a 5-on-3 power play to reduce the deficit through left wing Marcus Johansson, who plays for the Minnesota Wild, 3:02 into the middle period, but San Jose Sharks star Macklin Celebrini collected a through pass from Sidney Crosby, the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins who holds the same title for Team Canada, to restore a two-goal advantage on a breakaway midway through the frame.
Flyers forward Travis Konecny was on his knees when he set up Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon for the fifth 4:11 into the final period — one of his three assists in the game.
Earlier, Austria reached the playoffs for the first time in 31 years after it defeated Latvia 6-1 and became the fourth and final team to advance to the quarterfinals from Group A. Finland defeated Slovakia 2-1, and Switzerland beat Kazakhstan 4-1, forcing the latter to be relegated after five years in the top division.
Finally, Denmark prevailed 2-1 over Germany after a penalty shootout to become the fourth and final team from Group B to advance.
Meidroth, who is hitting .252 with three home runs, 15 RBIs and 11 stolen bases, said he will be shut down from swinging for “a few days.” He hasn’t registered an at-bat since July 30 against the Philadelphia Phillies, when he was hit by a Taijuan Walker sinker in the fifth inning.
Also Thursday, Chicago selected the contract of shortstop Jacob Amaya from Triple-A Charlotte and designated right-handed pitcher Gus Varland for assignment.
NEW YORK — The Mets will honor the 60th anniversary of the Fab Four’s performance at Shea Stadium, where they will host the Mariners on Aug. 15 for The Beatles Night at Citi Field.
The 1965 performance was a milestone because The Beatles became the first rock band to perform a major stadium concert. A 50-minute documentary titled “The Beatles at Shea Stadium” captured the show. At the time, the multipurpose stadium was home to the Mets and New York Jets.
The celebration will begin with a performance by 1964 the Tribute in front of Shea Bridge at 6:15 p.m. ET. The first 15,000 fans to enter Citi Field will receive an exclusive Shea Stadium replica.
The first pitch will be thrown by members of the game-day staff who worked the famous concert. A themed fireworks show will be held after the game.
In his first at-bat against White Sox starter Shane Smith, Naylor grimaced after swinging at a high, inside fastball. He walked down the first base line and back before finishing his at-bat, which ended with a strikeout.
Naylor stayed in the game, but later exited after grounding out to second base to end the third inning.
Wilson told reporters after the game that Naylor is day-to-day.
Naylor, one of Seattle’s notable trade deadline acquisitions from the Arizona Diamondbacks, is hitting .289, with 14 home runs, 65 RBI and 21 stolen bases this season. Since joining the Mariners, the left-hander is batting .261 with three home runs and 10 stolen bases.
While with the Diamondbacks, the left-handed hitter was pulled from a June 23 game — also against the White Sox — in the fourth inning due to right shoulder discomfort. Naylor avoided a stint on the injured list and returned to the lineup two days later.
Donovan Solano, who hadn’t played in two weeks, took over at first base for Seattle when Naylor exited.
The Mariners, who swept a series for the first time since July 11-13, moved within 1 1/2 games of first-place Houston in the American League West.
