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Drew O’Connor, Casey DeSmith lead USA to victory in IIHF Worlds Day 1

It’s third-line center Drew O’Connor’s world, and Team USA is just living in it.

O’Connor registered three points as USA defeated host Finland, 4-1, to kick off the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey Men’s World Championship Friday.

Finland was first on the board, but Team USA, captained by Nick Bonino and backstopped by Casey DeSmith, tied things up in the second period.

The deciding goal was notched by O’Connor, who lifted a backhand pass from Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan Samberg into the net to put the Americans ahead in the back half the third period.