SOCHI, Russia – No player entered the Olympics on more of a roll than Phil Kessel. And that scorching performance kept right on going on the grand stage here in Sochi. Kessel scored once and added two assists as the Americans opened their bid at gold redemption with a 7-1 rout of Slovakia at Shayba Arena. "Hes on fire," said Leaf and American teammate James van Riemsdyk, who had two assists paired with Kessel and Joe Pavelski at the outset of the Olympic tournament. "The game I think is coming to him really easy right now. Hes working hard, creating a lot and he seems to be on fire." Kessel has been downright dominant since the calendar turned to 2014. The 26-year-old has a league-leading 28 points since Jan. 1 (John Tavares is second with 22), vaulting to fourth in NHL scoring with 65 points, also second behind Alex Ovechkin with 31 goals. Sizzling through the hottest stretch of his NHL career, he led the Leafs to 11 wins in 14 games before the Olympic break. "Hes a game-breaker, does a lot of things out there that a lot of guys cant do," van Riemsdyk said of Kessel shortly after landing in Russia. Kessel has, in one game mind you, exceeded the production he managed in totality at his first Olympics in Vancouver. Then just 22, he managed a mere two points (one goal, one assist) in six games as the US fell just short of gold, losing in overtime of the gold medal game. "Obviously that was a long time ago the last one," said Kessel of 2010. "Im a little older now." Dropping a pass to John Carlson for the games first goal, Kessel notched his first marker of the tournament on a doorstep feed from van Riemsdyk. He added a helper on the fourth American goal from David Backes. Van Riemsdyk, his linemate and roommate here in Sochi, fully expected to be nervous when his first-ever Olympic tilt kicked off, but said the nerves cooled being around the increasingly steady Kessel. 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"Uuufff," was all shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria could come up with after Stantons latest mammoth shot.BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil -- Lionel Messi scored a superb goal in stoppage time to give Argentina a 1-0 victory over Iran on Saturday and secure his teams place in the second round of the World Cup. Iran had defended solidly throughout the game and also took the match to Argentina in the second half, creating several chances to win the Group F match and cause a tournament sensation. But Iran was punished for those missed chances when Messi picked up the ball about 20 yards (meters) out and curled a shot into the left hand corner. It was a moment of individual brilliance, and showed why Messi has been voted world player of the year no fewer than four times. Up until that point, he had been kept quiet by stoic Iran defending, while Argentina had at times been exposed to counterattacks. Iran had several chances to win it, especially in the second half. The best of those opportunities came in the 67th minute, when midfielder Ashkan Dejagahs powerful header from close range was tipped just over the bar by Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero. Earlier, lone striker Reza Ghoochannejhads header from close range was saved by Romero after a cross from thhe right.dddddddddddd He later missed a chance for a late winner when his shot was again saved by Romero. Before the match, Iran faced criticism for its defensive tactics after a dour 0-0 draw against Nigeria. But before Messis strike, Iranian and Brazilian fans were singing "Ole, ole, ole, ole, Iran Iran!" in recognition of the teams attempts to score a winner. But Messi denied Iran what would have ranked as its greatest result by drawing with the former world champions. The victory sent the pro-Argentina crowd into raptures and most of them stayed in the stands well after the match, chanting and waving scarves and flags, and watching highlights -- including Messis goal -- on the big screens. It almost looked like Argentina coach Alejandro Sabellas decision to return to an attacking lineup would backfire. In Argentinas 2-1 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Group F opener, Sabella started with a more defensive 5-3-2 lineup with only two strikers. He then changed to a 4-3-3 formation in the second half -- a system favoured by Messi -- and he continued with that lineup at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte. ' ' '