Kessel hat trick leads U.S. over Slovenia

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, May 4 (UPI) -- Phil Kessel's hat trick led the United States to a 5-1 win over Slovenia Sunday in the preliminary round of the World Hockey Championships in Nova Scotia.

Patrick Kane and David Booth also scored for the American team and Anze Kopitar got the Slovenian goal.

U.S. goaltender Tim Thomas, who has allowed just two goals in two games, turned away 11 Slovenian shots. Robert Kristan had 32 stops for the losers.

In another Nova Scotia game, Rick Nash scored twice and Dany Heatley had a goal and three assists for Canada in a 7-0 win over Latvia.

The U.S. and Canada are both 2-0 and will meet Tuesday.

In games played in Quebec City, Russia beat the Czech Republic 5-4 and Denmark topped Italy 6-2.