The Pittsburgh Penguins might be sitting out the Stanley Cup playoffs, but they’re having an impact at the world championships.
Nick Bonino, who was acquired from San Jose at the trade deadline but suffered a lacerated kidney early in his second stint with the Penguins, scored two goals to lead Team USA to a 7-1 victory over Hungary in the IIHF world championships at Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland.
He scored what proved to be the game-winner at 18:38 of the opening period to give the U.S. a 2-1 lead, then made it a two-goal advantage at 3:29 of the second.
Two days earlier, Drew O’Connor had a goal and two assists in Team USA’s tournament-opening victory over Finland, while Casey DeSmith stopped 23 of 24 Finnish shots.
The U.S. is scheduled to play Germany Monday, when DeSmith is expected to get another start.
Two other Pittsburgh Penguins players are participating in the tournament. Defenseman P.O Joseph is playing for Canada and forward Alex Nylander is on Team Sweden.
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