U.S. Men’s National Team Loses 3-1 to Switzerland in First Preliminary-Round Match
ZURICH, Switzerland – The U.S. Men’s National Team suffered a 3-1 defeat against Switzerland in their initial preliminary round match of the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship at Swiss Life Arena.
“The atmosphere tonight was fantastic, and there were many positive aspects to take away, including our teamwork and competitiveness,” stated Don Granato, head coach of the 2026 U.S. Men’s National Team. “Each game serves as a building block, and we can learn a great deal from this experience as we progress.”
HIGHLIGHTS
Switzerland’s Pius Suter opened the scoring just 2:03 into the game when he gathered a loose puck outside the crease after a shot from Sven Andrighetto was deflected, and he backhanded it into the net.
At 11:19 of the first period, Andrighetto extended Switzerland’s lead to 2-0 with a wrist shot from the left half-wall, assisted by Denis Malgin.
Matt Coronato (Greenlawn, N.Y./Calgary Flames) nearly narrowed the deficit early in the second period during a two-on-one opportunity, but his attempt was redirected by two Swiss defenders.
At the 8:45 mark of the third period, Alex Steeves (Eden Prairie, Minn./Boston Bruins) fired a shot from the slot that missed the net to the left, but the puck bounced off the boards back to him, allowing him to quickly score from the left circle, making it a one-goal game. Ryan Lindgren (Minneapolis, Minn./Seattle Kraken) and Will Borgen (Moorhead, Minn./New York Rangers) provided assists on the play.
With 3:39 left in the game, Switzerland increased their lead to 3-1 when Simon Knak’s shot from the point was redirected into the net by Ken Jager.
Joseph Woll (St. Louis, Mo./Toronto Maple Leafs) made 17 saves on 20 shots faced while in goal for the U.S.
Team USA will return to the ice on Sunday (May 17) for their second preliminary round match against Great Britain. The puck is scheduled to drop at 6:20 a.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast live on NHL Network.
NOTES: Both the U.S. and Switzerland recorded 20 shots on goal … Each team was 0-1 on the power play … Justin Faulk (South St. Paul, Minn./Detroit Red Wings) was named the U.S. Player of the Game.
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