The United States used a preliminary round game against South Korea to improve the goal differential ratio.
Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin had two assists as the U.S. became the latest team to rout the South Koreans at the World Championship in Herning and Copenhagen, Denmark. Friday's score ended at 13-1.
South Korea scored the first goal Friday — but then came the 13-goal salvo from the U.S. on Day 8 of the tournament.
It was the fifth straight victory in preliminary play, and upped the American team's goals-for to goals-against ratio to 26:7 (goal differential can come into play as a tiebreaker should teams be tied in points).