GAME DAY | Gold Medal Match Re-Encounter: USA vs. Switzerland at 2:20 p.m. ET

ZURICH, Switzerland – A re-match of last year’s gold-medal contest is set for the U.S. Men’s National Team tonight as it begins its campaign in the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship against the host nation, Switzerland, at 2:20 p.m. ET on NHL Network.

In the previous year in Stockholm, Sweden, the U.S. triumphed over Switzerland, 1-0, in overtime to secure its first gold medal at the IIHF Men’s World Championship in 92 years, with Tage Thompson netting the decisive goal.

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Game Notes

“We’re eager to get started and recognize that we are up against a strong Swiss team,” stated Don Granato, head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team. “It’s been enjoyable to witness how our group has united in a brief timeframe, and we anticipate the challenge that lies ahead.”

Team USA’s lineup includes 12 players who were selected in the first or second round of the NHL Draft, boasting over 5,000 games of NHL experience, along with seven athletes who have previously participated in the IIHF Men’s World Championship, including Mason Lohrei and Isaac Howard, both of whom were part of the 2025 gold medal-winning squad.

The U.S. and Switzerland will face off for the 29th time in the men’s worlds tonight, with the U.S. holding a record of 17-1-1-8-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T) in their encounters. The U.S. has emerged victorious in four of the last five matchups in this series.

Team USA participated in just one pre-tournament game, utilizing five different goal scorers to defeat Germany, 5-2, on Sunday (May 10) in Mannheim, Germany.

Justin Faulk, who is competing in his fourth IIHF Men’s World Championship and has earned two bronze medals in the event, serves as the captain of Team USA. Faulk was also a member of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team. Ryan Lindgren and Mathieu Olivier are the alternate captains for the team.

Team USA includes three goaltenders, featuring Joseph Woll  from the Toronto Maple Leafs, who is part of a U.S. national team for the first time since aiding Team USA in securing bronze at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship; Devin Cooley  from the Calgary Flames, who is making his debut in an IIHF world championship; and Drew Commesso, from the Chicago Blackhawks organization, who last represented Team USA in the 2023 IIHF Men’s World Championship.

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