The AP Has Stempniak Fever

For the second game day news story in a row Blues forward Lee Stempniak gets the first mention at the hockey Worlds.

Lee Stempniak scored twice to lead the United States to a 5-1 victory over Belarus on Sunday that put it in the second round of the hockey world championships along with the Czech Republic, Finland and Russia.

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The Americans were 3-0 up by the end of the first period, with scores from defenseman Jack Johnson and forwards Stempniak and Chad Larose.

Chris Clark added a fourth U.S. goal 4:30 into the second period, and Stempniak added the fifth -- on a two-man advantage-- for his third goal in two games.

Belarus captain Oleg Antonenko ruined John Grahame's shutout bid, deking defenseman Brian Pothier to flick the puck in over Grahame's shoulder.

"We wanted to give John the shutout so it's a pity," Clark said. "That will be tougher against the Czechs."

The Americans and the Czechs play Tuesday.