U.S. Downs Switzerland, 2-1, In World Juniors Prelims
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Brodie Ziemer (Chaska, Minn./University of Minnesota) and Will Zellers (Maple Grove, Minn./University of North Dakota) each scored and Nick Kempf (Morton Grove, Ill./University of Notre Dame) made 16 saves as the U.S. National Junior Team defeated Switzerland, 2-1, here in its second preliminary round game of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship tonight at Grand Casino Arena.
“It was a battle and I give our guys a lot of credit, they played a heckuva game,” said Bob Motzko (St. Cloud, Minn./University of Minnesota) head coach of the 2026 U.S. National Junior Team. “They're (Switzerland) a well-coached team and keep coming at you. It was another great crowd tonight and we're thankful for the fan support we've had in the first two games.”
With 8:45 remaining in the first, Teddy Stiga (Sudbury, Mass./Boston College) stole the puck along the boards in the offensive zone and cut towards the net before lifting a backhand shot that a sliding Christian Kirsch just got a piece of to keep the game scoreless.
HIGHLIGHTS
The U.S. had two great shorthanded scoring chances on a late Switzerland power play in the waning minutes of the opening frame, including from Stiga, who accelerated through the neutral zone to create a 2-on-1 chance with Ziemer, but the five-hole shot was stopped.
Ziemer picked up right where he left off in the second going bar down off a drop pass from James Hagens (Hauppauge, N.Y./Boston College) just 1:12 into the period to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead.
Switzerland knotted the game at 1-1 with 7:26 left in the second when a rising shot from Basile Sansonnens from just inside the blue line found the top corner of the net.
Zellers scored what proved to be the game-winner 2:06 later when he sent a tight-angle shot from just above the goal line over the shoulder of Switzerland goaltender Christian Kirsch.
Team USA returns to the ice on Monday (Dec. 29) against Slovakia for its third preliminary round game of the tournament. Puck drop is set for 5 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast live on NHL Network. Tickets are also available HERE.
NOTES: Brodie Ziemer was named U.S. Player of the Game … The U.S. outshot Switzerland, 20-17 … Team USA was 0-3 on the power play, while Switzerland was 0-2.
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