Mazur Posts Two Assists to Help USA Stay Undefeated at WC

Carter Mazur hasn’t yet played for the Detroit Red Wings and yet he has some bragging rights over two of his future teammates.

Mazur registered a pair of assists, including one on the game-winning goal, to help USA down the Swedes 4-3 in overtime to allow the Americans to be undefeated in the preliminary for the first time in the tournament’s history.

Michigan native Mazur made a centering feed from behind the goal line to set up Dylan Samberg’s goal at 1:37 of overtime.

The Americans earned the No. 1 seed in Pool A with six regulation wins and one overtime win in pool play. That gave them 20 out of a possible 21 points. They will play either Slovakia or Latvia in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Red Wings forwards Lucas Raymond and Jonatan Berggren played for the Swedes who were undefeated coming into the game against USA. Berggren had one assist. Raymond had no points and two shots on goal in more than 19 minutes of playing time.

USA is coached by San Jose Sharks’ bench boss David Quinn, and Detroit coach Derek Lalonde is one of his assistants. Both Quinn and Lalonde have mentioned that the team’s goal is to end USA’s 90-year gold medal drought in this tournament. The Americans last won a gold medal in 1933. Walter Brown was the coach. USA hasn’t even won a silver medal since 1950.

Mazur, 21, has averaged 12:10 minutes in the tournament and has a goal and three assists. The Red Wings expect Mazur, drafted 70th overall in 2021, to challenge for a roster spot this season. He’s a plucky forward with offensive skill.