U.S. beat Denmark to lock up 2nd place in Group A

Denmark's Nikolaj Krag, left, and Auston Matthews of the U.S fight for the puck during the 2016 IIHF World Junior U20 Ice Hockey Championships tournament match between Denmark and USA in Helsinki, Finland, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP)

HELSINKI — Auston Matthews had a goal and an assist to lead the United States to a 4-1 victory over Denmark on Thursday at the world junior hockey championship.

Mathias Lassen gave Denmark an early lead at Helsinki Ice Hall before Matthews replied late in the opening frame. Sonny Milano put the Americans ahead to stay in the second period.

Matthews assisted on Colin White’s third-period goal and Anders Bjork added an insurance goal on the power play.

The U.S. finished the preliminary round with a 3-1 record and locked up second place in Group A.

Denmark fell to 1-3.

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