UPDATE: Team USA kicked off its quest for a third consecutive gold medal with a decisive 6-3 victory over Germany in the opening game of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul. The American team showcased its offensive prowess early, scoring three goals in the first period, energizing the home crowd with chants of “U-S-A.”
Just five minutes into the game, Teddy Stiga, who scored the golden goal last year, nearly netted another but hit the post. Max Plante quickly followed up with the first goal, setting the stage for an electrifying start. “It felt almost like playoffs,” Plante exclaimed, highlighting the intense atmosphere as the home crowd rallied behind their team.
The Americans jumped to a commanding lead with goals from Chase Reid and Will Horcoff, who scored his first of the tournament, bringing the score to 3-0. However, Team USA faltered defensively, allowing Germany to claw back into the game with three goals in a chaotic stretch that left fans on edge.
“We had a lackluster defensive stretch,” said USA coach Bob Motzko. “Bad things happen when you don’t connect the dots.” Germany’s Timo Kose scored to make it 3-1 before Simon Seidl added another, narrowing the gap to just one goal.
The tide turned when Will Zellers, who scored twice in the match, capitalized on a crucial power play to restore the two-goal lead. “We knew Germany would come out flying after losing 8-0 previously,” Zellers noted. His response helped stabilize Team USA, which had been reeling from the German offensive surge.
Late in the second period, Cole Eiserman solidified the Americans’ lead with a goal, following a near miss just seconds before. The team outshot Germany 15-4 in the final period, closing the game with a strong defensive showing.
Caleb Heil made his mark as the starting goaltender, successfully blocking 18 of 21 shots faced. His performance during the challenging moments was critical in maintaining the lead.
As Team USA prepares for their next match against Switzerland at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Motzko emphasized the importance of learning from this game. “We want to see more detail and energy. These are young kids, and they need to grow through these experiences,” he stated.
With this victory, Team USA has sent a strong message to their competitors in the tournament. The excitement builds as fans anticipate the next chapter of this championship journey.
