Maine’s Heisten scores goal as U.S. ties Czechs

STOCKHOLM, Sweden – The United States team blew two leads and had to settle for a 2-2 tie against the Czech Republic Sunday in the World Junior Hockey Championships.

Josef Vasicek’s power-play goal in the third period was the equalizer of the Group A opener for Team USA, which features 10 NHL draftees.

Barrett Heisten of the University of Maine put the Americans ahead less than four minutes into the game with a power-play goal. Forward Jeff Taffe of the University of Minnesota assisted on the power-play goal.

Vasicek set up Martin Havlat’s goal, making it 1-1 halfway through the second period. With three minutes left in the period, Boston College defenseman Brooks Orpik gave the Americans a 2-1 lead.

Vasicek tied it again at 8:45 of the third period.

The Czechs defeated Slovakia 5-2 Saturday in their opener.

Team USA, which outshot the Czechs 31-29, next plays Slovakia on Tuesday.

Slovakia tied Finland 1-1 in the other group A game. Arto Tukio saved the Finns with a third-period power-play goal. Finland lost its opener 3-2 to Canada.

Sweden, co-favored with defending champion Russia, beat Switzerland 7-1 in its Group B opener.

Russia improved to 2-0 with a 4-1 win over winless Ukraine in the other group B game.

U.S. goaltender Rick DiPietro of Boston University, who was named the outstanding player of the game for the U.S., made 27 saves.