ZURICH, Switzerland – Four distinct players found the net, and Devin Cooley (Los Gatos, Calif./Calgary Flames) recorded 25 saves, guiding the U.S. Men’s National Team to a 4-1 triumph over Austria in its seventh and final preliminary round match of the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship at Swiss Life Arena.
With this victory, the U.S. secured a place in the quarterfinals on Thursday (May 28), where it will compete against Canada in Fribourg, Switzerland, at BCF Arena. The exact game time will be determined after the conclusion of tonight’s matches, and the game will be broadcast live on NHL Network and streamed on the NHL YouTube channel.
“I was pleased with our overall performance and thought our goaltending was outstanding,” stated Don Granato, head coach of the 2026 U.S. Men’s National Team. “We are eager for the challenge of facing Canada on Thursday.”
HIGHLIGHTS
Coming soon!
Connor Clifton (Matawan, N.J./Pittsburgh Penguins) initiated the scoring 5:34 into the game, faking a shot from the point before moving to his right and executing a wrist shot from above the circles. Will Borgen (Moorhead, Minn./New York Rangers) and Alex Steeves (Eden Prairie, Minn./Boston Bruins) provided assists on the play.
Only 45 seconds later, Ryan Ufko (Smithtown, N.Y./Milwaukee Admirals) extended Team USA’s advantage, scoring with a one-timer from just inside the blue line after receiving a pass from Tommy Novak (River Falls, Wis./Pittsburgh Penguins) at 6:19.
Early in the second period, Paul Cotter (Canton, Mich./New Jersey Devils) increased the U.S. lead to 3-0 by converting a rebound chance following a deflection by Mathieu Olivier (Columbus, Ohio/Columbus Blue Jackets) with a wrist shot from below the left circle at the 1:07 mark.
At 11:52 of the second period, Matthew Tkachuk (St. Louis, Mo./Florida Panthers) made it 4-0 for Team USA with a power-play goal, knocking the puck into the net through traffic and taking advantage of a rebound opportunity just outside the crease. Matt Coronato (Greenlawn, N.Y./Calgary Flames) and Ryan Leonard (Amherst, Mass./Washington Capitals) recorded assists on the play.
With 3:50 left in the second period, Austria’s Simeon Schwinger, who was screening Cooley at the crease, redirected a shot from the point that found the back of the net, narrowing the score to 4-1.
The U.S. held onto its lead for the remainder of the match, with neither team scoring in the third period.
Cooley stopped 25 of 26 shots to secure the win in goal for Team USA.
NOTES: Team USA outshot Austria, 36-26 … The U.S. converted 1-3 on the power play, while Austria was 0-2 … Connor Clifton was named U.S. Player of the Game.
GAME PHOTOS
GAME STATS GAME PREVIEW 
2026 Roster 
Men’s Worlds Insider 
2026 Men’s Worlds Home
