HALIFAX, Nova Scotia -- Phil Kessel had a hat trick and the United States scored three power-play goals to take a 5-1 win over Slovenia in the preliminary round of the world championships Sunday.
The Boston Bruins forward scored twice with the man advantage in the second, then added his third of the game on an even-strength tally 9 minutes into the third.
David Booth and Calder Trophy nominee Patrick Kane also scored for the United States.
Anze Kopitar scored for Slovenia with 3:24 left in the second period on Sunday.
On Friday, the U.S. went 4-for-9 on the power play in a 4-0 win against Latvia.
The United States next meets rival Canada on Tuesday. Both teams are 2-0, and the winner will get the top spot for Group B.
Dany Heatley had a goal and three assists to lead Canada to a 7-0 win over Latvia earlier Sunday.
Heatley moved past Steve Yzerman as Canada's top career scorer at this event in the modern era. He has 40 points in 36 world championship games, which puts him one ahead of his team's GM.
Rick Nash added two goals while Patrick Sharp, Martin St. Louis and Chris Kunitz also scored for Canada.
Goaltender Pascal Leclaire stopped all 29 shots he faced during his first start of the tournament.
Sharp got things going quickly when he picked up a rebound and beat goalie Edgars Masalskis 2:35 into the game. He scored 36 goals for the Chicago Blackhawks this season, but is part of the fourth line for Canada.
Nash, St. Louis and Kunitz scored in a span of 2:42 to start the second period, prompting Latvian coach Olegs Znaroks to call a timeout and replace Masalskis in goal with Sergejs Naumovs.
In a Group D game at Quebec City, Alexei Morozov scored twice, including the game-winner in overtime, to send Russia past the Czech Republic 5-4 in overtime. Sergei Zinoviev, Konstantin Gorovikov and Konstantin Korneyev had the other goals for Russia (2-0). Patrik Elias scored three power-play goals for the Czech Republic (1-1), which held a 43-27 edge in shots on goal. Alex Kotalik had the other goal.
In the other Group D game, Denmark defeated Italy 6-2.
The tournament is being played in Canada for the first time.
