Needing at least a draw to keep their hopes of staying in the top flight alive, Slovenia never appeared to have much chance against the superior US.

The Americans struck first in the group B encounter when Brock Nelson found the net in the fifth minute. Nelson then extended the lead 12 minutes later.

While Slovenia pulled one back when Ales Music struck home early in the second period, the US all but sealed the win in the 42nd minute with a goal by Jack Eichel.

Slovenia's chances of staying in the elite group were handed a major blow already on Saturday evening, when Denmark beat Norway 4-1 in group B play in Ostrava.

Like Slovenia, Denmark had not registered a win before that and the Lynx had hoped it would remain that way until the two teams meet on Monday in what would have been a relegation decider.

Instead, Monday's meeting will be no more than a chance for some consolation for Slovenia.