BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – The U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team lost 3-2 in overtime with just 11 seconds remaining against Czechia this afternoon at Vladimir Dzurilla Ice Arena during its opening preliminary round match of the 2026 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship.
“I believe our team put forth a strong effort and we gave ourselves an opportunity to win,” stated Nick Fohr (Grand Forks, N.D.), head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team. “Securing a point is crucial in a tournament like this, and I felt there were moments when we performed well, but also aspects we need to improve. The team will gain experience from this, and we’ll be prepared for Denmark.”
Czechia maintained possession in the first five minutes of play but managed only one shot on goal. Defenseman Luke Schairer (Charlotte, N.C.) tested Czechia’s starting goaltender Marek Sklenicka with a shot from the blue line at 5:14, but it was saved. Victor Plante (Hermantown, Minn.) had a solid opportunity at 10:08 as Team USA began to take control of the puck, but his shot from the slot was also denied by Sklenicka.
Team USA skated with a 5-on-3 advantage for over a minute, during which starting U.S. goaltender Brady Knowling (Chicago, Ill.) made several saves to keep the score level.
Czechia was the first to score at 3:49 of the second period after a bounce off the end boards resulted in the puck landing in the crease, leading to a goal.
Lukas Zajic (Plainfield, Ill.) responded to tie the game at one at 7:12. Following a turnover in the neutral zone, Carter Meyer (Winchester, Mass.) advanced the puck to Brooks Rogowski (Brighton, Mich.) near the blue line. The forward found Zajic, who raced toward the crease and scored past Sklenicka.
Wyatt Cullen (Moorhead, Minn.) gave the U.S. its first lead of the match 1:05 later. After a defensive-zone faceoff, Sammy Nelson (Maple Grove, Minn.) nudged the puck to a fast-moving Cullen, who entered the zone and fired it into the net.
Czechia equalized at two apiece at 3:35 of the third period when a loose puck in the crease was pushed across the goal line. The remainder of regulation saw both teams exchanging chances, but neither could break the deadlock, leading to overtime.
Logan Stuart (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) had the first significant opportunity in overtime, just 50 seconds in, as he skated behind the defense and took a shot on goal, but it was saved by Sklenicka. Logan Lutner (Maple Grove, Minn.) followed with a chance of his own at 2:29 after a turnover left him alone in front, but his attempt was also stopped. It was Czechia that netted the game-winning goal at the 4:48 mark of extra time, resulting in a 3-2 defeat for the U.S.
Knowling recorded 26 saves in goal for Team USA.
NOTES: Brady Knowling (Chicago, Ill.) was named Team USA’s Player of the Game… Both teams went 0-2 on the power play… The U.S. outshot Czechia, 30-29… For complete tournament information, including the full schedule, broadcast details, statistics, and standings, click here.
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