BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – Sammy Nelson (Maple Grove, Minn.) concluded a four-point performance with a hat trick as the U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team triumphed over Finland, 7-3, this afternoon at Vladimir Dzurilla Ice Arena in their last pre-tournament match before the 2026 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship.
Team USA will commence preliminary round action on Wednesday (April 22) in Bratislava, Slovakia, at Vladimir Dzurilla Ice Arena against Czechia. The game is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET) and will be streamed live on NHL Network.
“We managed some momentum shifts and did well to maintain our game as it fluctuated a bit,” stated Nick Fohr (Grand Forks, N.D.), head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team. “I believe we competed effectively and discovered ways to execute when it was crucial. Now it’s about sustaining this momentum as we prepare for Czechia.”
Team USA started strong, aided by Jamie Glance (Stratham, N.H.). Abe Barnett (Wilmette, Ill.) nudged a rolling puck to Victor Plante (Hermantown, Minn.) who backhanded it towards a speeding Glance. Glance sped down the ice and scored past starting Finnish goalie Pyry Lammi just 38 seconds into the game.
Nelson kept the momentum going, scoring his first goal just 59 seconds later. Nolan Fitzhenry (Andover, Minn.) forced a turnover, carried the puck over the blue line, and found Nelson unmarked in the slot, where he fired it past Lammi.
Finland responded with a power-play goal to narrow the gap to one at 7:39 of the period.
Casey Mutryn (Norwell, Mass.) restored Team USA’s two-goal advantage at the 10:36 mark of the frame. Nelson and Parker Trottier (Edina, Minn.) led the offensive rush, while Mutryn, who initiated the play in his own zone, joined the action and found the net after receiving a pass from Trottier.
Finland equalized with two consecutive goals, the first at 14:15, followed by a power-play goal at 16:41, leaving the teams tied at the end of the first period.
Nelson scored his second goal to kick off the second period, putting Team USA ahead 4-3 at 4:57. Mutryn maneuvered behind the net and located Nelson in front of the crease for a tap-in goal. Mutryn extended the lead back to two on the power play after he redirected a Wyatt Cullen (Moorhead, Minn.) shot off a rebound at 8:04.
GAME PHOTOS
Cullen contributed to the scoring again, this time netting a goal of his own as he shot it past Oskari Ahmajärvi at 10:40, who had come in to relieve Lammi.
Nelson completed his hat trick at 4:17 of the third period on the power play, extending Team USA’s lead to 7-3, which would be the final score.
Brady Knowling (Chicago, Ill.) started in goal for Team USA, making 14 saves in 40 minutes. Luke Carrithers (Maple Grove, Minn.) played the final 20 minutes and stopped all eight shots he faced.
NOTES: The U.S. converted on 2 of 2 power-play opportunities, while Finland went 2 for 5 … Team USA dressed 13 forwards, seven defensemen, and three goaltenders … For comprehensive tournament information, including the full schedule, broadcast details, statistics, and standings, click here.
U.S. Under-18 Men’s World History 
U18 Men’s Worlds Insider 
2026 U18 Men’s Worlds
