Flyers Prospect Gauthier Has Strong Game, But U.S. is Jolted

Forward Cutter Gauthier had another strong game Wednesday, but Team USA was jolted by  Slovakia, 6-3, in the World Juniors.

Drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round (No. 5 overall) in July, Gauthier had two assists and four shots in 17:51. He was minus-2 in the upset.

Slovakia scored three second-period goals in a 3:19 span, turning a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead.

Ottawa Senators prospect Tyler Boucher, of Haddonfield, had two goals for the Americans. He is the son of former Philadelphia Flyers goalie Brian Boucher.

In the third period, Boucher’s goal sliced the deficit to 5-3, but Slovakia added an empty-net goal to ice the victory.

The U.S. outshot Slovakia, 36-26, but winning goalie Adam Gajan made 33 saves. It was just Slovakia’s fifth win in 21 all-time meetings with the Americans, who face Switzerland and Flyers prospect Brian Zanetti on Thursday.