The United States men's hockey team used a six goal second period barrage to destroy Slovakia 7-1 Thursday morning in Sochi.

John Carlson scored the first period's only goal at 14:27 from Phil Kessel and James Van Riemsdyk to give the United States a 1-0 lead at the first intermission.

Tomas Tatar scored for Slovakia just :24 into the second period to tie the game at one, but then the floodgates opened.

Ryan Kesler started the flurry with a goal at 1:26 of the second period. Kesler's eventual game-winner was assisted by Patrick Kane.

Before the period was over the United States got a pair of goals from Paul Stastny and single goals from Dustin Brown, David Backes and Kessel.

Team USA is back on the ice Saturday morning at 6:30 for a matchup with host Russia.

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