Sean Farrell records hat trick, U.S. routs China 8-0 at Olympics

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Don’t look now, but the young United States hockey team might be fun to watch at the Olympics.

Sean Farrell had a hat trick and delivered one of the team's two no-look assists as the Americans routed China 8-0 Thursday night in the host country's Olympic men's hockey debut.

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Farrell delivered his behind-the-back pass from behind the net to Noah Cates and also scored the fourth, fifth and eighth U.S. goals. Andy Miele delivered another no-look assist on Brian O'Neill's goal, Minnesota center Ben Meyers roofed a backhander, and Matty Beniers flashed the offensive ability that made him the second pick in the NHL draft with his goal.

Boston University goaltender Drew Commesso was not tested much but was sharp when he needed to be, making 29 saves for the shutout. The 19-year-old became the youngest U.S. goaltender to play at the Olympics.

United States' Noah Cates (27) celebrates after scoring a goal against China during a preliminary round men's hockey game at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Beijing.  (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

After a slow start, the Americans’ young speed and skill were on display and eventually wore down their overmatched opponent and outshot them 55-29. Only U.S.-born goaltender Jeremy Smith kept it close the first half of the game for China, finishing with 47 stops.

There was little he could do on Brendan Brisson’s power-play goal that opened the scoring midway through the first period, or on Cates’ shot from in front in the second that made it 2-0. Skating in front of about 1,000 Chinese fans, the home team made up mostly of North American players who naturalized for the