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2026 IIHF World Junior Championship

USA Fends Off Germany Rally in 6-3 World Juniors Opening Win

USA Fends Off Germany Rally in 6-3 World Juniors Opening Win

Team USA opened the 2026 World Junior Championship with a 6-3 win over Germany in Saint Paul, powered by a big second period and 47 shots.

Dec 27, 2025 by Amelia Engstrom
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The United States opened preliminary-round play at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship with a 6–3 win over Germany on home ice in Saint Paul, Minn. 

Team USA set the tone early, scoring three times in the first period on goals from Max Plante, Chase Reid and Will Horcoff to take a 3–1 lead. Germany responded with resilience in the second, closing the gap to 3–2 and later 4–3, but the Americans answered each push. 

Will Zellers delivered a standout performance with two goals and an assist, including a power-play marker that restored momentum. Cole Eiserman added an insurance goal late in the second period as the U.S. surged ahead 6–3. 

The third period remained scoreless, though Team USA controlled play, outshooting Germany 47–20 overall. The win gives the defending champions a strong start as they continue group play against Switzerland, Slovakia and Sweden.

USA vs Germany World Juniors 2026 Final Score: GER 3 - 6 USA

Scoreless Final Period Wraps Up Team USA's Win

GER 3 - 6 USA

Team USA takes home the win, which was capped by a scoreless final period. Despite the lack of additional points on the board, the USA took 47 total shots on goal. Germany took 20 total shots on goal, also unable to convert in the third period.

Slow 3rd Period Start - 51:00

GER 3 - 6 USA

The third period remains scoreless with less than half to go. 

The break seems to have interrupted the USA's newfound stride towards the end of the 2nd period. As the game comes closer to conclusion both teams grow hungrier to put some more points on the board.

Germany vs. USA Score After 2nd Period: GER 3 - 6 USA

Team USA crushed Germany 10-4 just last year in the World Junior prelims. Fans may be surprised by the slower USA performance this evening. The team seems to just have found their groove as the second period concludes. 

Germany has put up a fight and has shown great skill in some of team USA's moments of lackluster play.

Team USA Has Found Their Momentum - 38:07

GER 3 - 6 USA

Relentlessly attacking, the USA offense earned themselves a goal through pure grit. 

A tired German defense eventually let one through as Cole Eiserman found net. USA now has 28 shots on goal.

Second Will Zellers Goal For USA - 34:58

GER 3 - 5 USA

Will Zellers rips it straight past the goalie to extend the USA's lead.

Two goals and one assist from Zellers tonight.  

Germany Answers - 31:27

GER 3 - 4 USA

Germany didn't let the USA celebrate long. 

A pass from Dustin Willhoft travels to Lenny Boos who finds net. Just one point separates these opponents.

USA Scores Following Power Play - 30:31

GER 2 - 4 USA

Germany's Elias Pul is given a penalty as the USA enters their second power play of the game. Just as their advantage time is running out, the USA converts through Will Zellers.

Chase Reid Sent To Box For Slashing - 26:30

GER 2 - 3 USA

Chase Reid heads for the box for slashing after his opponent's stick goes flying, despite seemingly staying stick over stick. Germany will look to take advantage and even the score.

Germany Scores First In The Second Half - 25:46

GER 2 - 3 USA

Dustin Willhoft sends a backhand pass across the ice to Simon Seidl who taps it in. Germany now trails just by one, a significant change from the pre-tournament game last week.

USA Leads By 2pts After First Period

GER 1 - 3 USA

The USA got off to the strong start they wanted, posting three goals in the first period. Germany was able to answer halfway through and looks to build on their budding momentum.

First Power Play, Penalty For Germany - 18:56

GER 1 - 3 USA

Germany's Moritz Kretzschmar heads to the box as the USA looks to take advantage of the first power play. However, Germany manages to successfully clear and USA runs up against the clock.

The first period concludes with USA leading by two.

Germany Is On The Board - 17:39

GER 1 - 3 USA

From close range, Timo Kose rips a high shot to get Germany on the board. 

With eight shots on goal, the score starts to reflect their efforts.

The Goals Keep Coming, Team USA Scores - 15:55

GER 0 - 3 USA

Just like that it's three nothing for team USA. Will Horcoff scores off a Brodie Ziemer and James Hagens assist.

Another One For USA - 10:53

GER 0 - 2 USA

Chase Reid sinks a second goal for the USA off assists by Will Zellers and Brendan McMorrow. 

USA Strikes First - 5:34

GER 0 - 1 USA

USA puts the first points on the board. Teddy Stiga rebound off the post is buried by Max Plante.

Puck Has Dropped, Game On

The puck has dropped and the action kicks off in Saint Paul.

How To Watch USA vs. Germany Hockey Today

The USA vs Germany World Juniors game starts 6 p.m. ET from Grand Casino Arena, Saint Paul, Minnesota.

All games during 2026 World Juniors tournament will be broadcast live on the NHL Network for viewers in the US. 

The network will air live game telecasts of the World Junior Championships plus analysis, highlights, and interviews about the tournament.

If you live in Canada, you can watch each game on TSN.

You can also follow along on FloHockey for the latest news throughout the tournament.

Germany In The House

USA vs Germany World Juniors

World Juniors Scores Today

Scores

  • Slovakia 2 - 3 Sweden (FINAL)
  • Finland 6 - 2 Denmark (FINAL)

Upcoming Matches Today

  • 6 PM ET - United States vs. Germany
  •  8:30 PM ET - Canada vs. Czechia

USA vs Germany Hockey Box Score | World Junior Pre-Competition

The USA last played Germany on Dec. 21, 2025 for their first World Juniors pre-competition match.

Overview

  • Germany (0-1-0) at USA (0-0-0)
  • Final Score: USA 8, Germany 0
  • Shots on Goal: USA 49 (9-17-23), Germany 24 (7-7-10)

Scoring Summary

1st Period

  • 19:43 – USA: Ryker Lee (1) [GWG], assists: Will Zellers (1), Luke Osburn (1)
  • 19:09 – USA (PP): Will Horcoff (1), assists: James Hagens (1), Brodie Ziemer (1)

2nd Period

  • 18:31 – USA (SH): Will Horcoff (2), assists: Brodie Ziemer (2), EJ Emery (1)
  • 18:23 – USA (SH): Teddy Stiga (1), assist: Ryker Lee (1)
  • 03:51 – USA: Will Zellers (1), assists: Ryker Lee (2), Luke Osburn (2)

3rd Period

  • 17:34 – USA: Brodie Ziemer (1), assist: Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen (1)
  • 15:48 – USA: Will Zellers (2), assist: Luke Osburn (3)
  • 01:30 – USA: Cole McKinney (1), assist: Shane Vansaghi (1)

USA Lineup Vs. Germany

Forwards

  • Will Horcoff (PIT) - James Hagens (USA) - Brodie Ziemer (BUF)
  • Teddy Stiga (NSH) - Max Plante (DET) - Ryker Lee (NSH)
  • Cole Eiserman (NYI) - Cole McKinney (SJS) - LJ Mooney (MTL)
  • Will Zellers (BOS) - AJ Spellacy (CHI) - Brendan McMorrow (LAK)
  • Shane Vansaghi (PHI)

Defense

  • Cole Hutson (WSH) - Adam Kleber (BUF)
  • Luke Osburn (BUF) - Chase Reid (2026)
  • Asher Barnett (EDM) - Logan Hensler (OTT)
  • Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen

Goalies

  • Caleb Heil (TBL)
  • Brady Knowling (2026)

Scratches: EJ Emery (NYR), Kamil Bednarik (NYI), Nick Kempf (WSH)

USA In The House

The USA World Juniors squad enters the Grand Casino Arena ready to take on Germany.

2026 World Junior Championship Schedule

View the full schedule below for the Group Stage and Knockout rounds of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minnesota.

Friday, December 26

  • 1:00 p.m. ET - Sweden vs Slovakia
  • 2:30 p.m. ET - Denmark vs Finland
  • 6:00 p.m. ET - Germany vs USA
  • 8:30 p.m. ET - Czechia vs Canada

Saturday, December 27

  • 2:00 p.m. ET - Slovakia vs Germany
  • 4:30 p.m. ET - Latvia vs Canada
  • 6:00 p.m. ET - USA vs Switzerland
  • 8:30 p.m. ET - Denmark vs Czechia

Sunday, December 28

  • 2:00 p.m. ET - Sweden vs Switzerland
  • 4:30 p.m. ET - Finland vs Latvia

Monday, December 29

  • 1:00 p.m. ET - Germany vs Sweden
  • 3:30 p.m. ET - Finland vs Czechia
  • 6:00 p.m. ET - Slovakia vs USA
  • 8:30 p.m. ET - Canada vs Denmark

Tuesday, December 30

  • 2:00 p.m. ET - Switzerland vs Germany
  • 4:30 p.m. ET - Latvia vs Denmark

Wednesday, December 31

  • 1:00 p.m. ET - Switzerland vs Slovakia
  • 3:30 p.m. ET - Czechia vs Latvia
  • 6:00 p.m. ET - USA vs Sweden
  • 8:30 p.m. ET - Canada vs Finland

Friday, January 2

  • 12:30 p.m. ET - Relegation Game
  • 2:00 p.m. ET - Quarterfinals Game 1
  • 4:30 p.m. ET - Quarterfinals Game 2
  • 6:00 p.m. ET - Quarterfinals Game 3
  • 8:30 p.m. ET - Quarterfinals Game 4

Sunday, January 4

  • 4:30 p.m. ET - Semifinals Game 1
  • 8:30 p.m. ET - Semifinals Game 2

Monday, January 5

  • 4:30 p.m. ET - Bronze Medal Game
  • 8:30 p.m. ET - Gold Medal Game

Where To Watch World Juniors 2026

All games during 2026 World Juniors tournament will be broadcast live on the NHL Network for viewers in the US. 

The network will air live game telecasts of the World Junior Championships plus analysis, highlights, and interviews about the tournament.

If you live in Canada, you can watch each game on TSN.

Team USA World Junior Championship 2026 Schedule

Friday, December 26

  • 6:00 p.m. ET - Germany vs USA

Saturday, December 27

  • 6:00 p.m. ET - USA vs Switzerland

Monday, December 29

  • 6:00 p.m. ET - Slovakia vs USA

Wednesday, December 31

  • 6:00 p.m. ET - USA vs Sweden

Team Germany World Junior Championship 2026 Schedule

Friday, December 26

  • 6:00 p.m. ET – Germany vs USA

Saturday, December 27

  • 2:00 p.m. ET – Slovakia vs Germany

Monday, December 29

  • 1:00 p.m. ET – Germany vs Sweden

Tuesday, December 30

  • 2:00 p.m. ET – Switzerland vs Germany

USA World Juniors Roster 2026

Forwards

  • Kamil Bednarik, C, Boston University (NYI)
  • Cole Eiserman, LW, Boston University (NYI)
  • James Hagens, C, Boston College (BOS)
  • Will Horcoff, LW, Michigan (PIT)
  • Ryker Lee, RW, Michigan State (NSH)
  • Cole McKinney, C, Michigan (SJS)
  • Brendan McMorrow, RW, Denver (LAK)
  • LJ Mooney, RW, Minnesota (MTL)
  • Max Plante, C/W, Minnesota Duluth (DET)
  • AJ Spellacy, C/W, Windsor Spitfires (CHI)
  • Teddy Stiga, C/W, Boston College (NSH)
  • Shane Vansaghi, LW, Michigan State (PHI)
  • Will Zellers, LW, North Dakota (BOS)
  • Brodie Ziemer, RW, Minnesota (BUF)

Defense

  • Asher Barnett, LHD, Michigan (EDM)
  • EJ Emery, RHD, North Dakota (NYR)
  • Logan Hensler, RHD, Wisconsin (OTT)
  • Cole Hutson, LHD, Boston University (WSH)
  • Adam Kleber, RHD, Minnesota Duluth (BUF)
  • Luke Osburn, LHD, Wisconsin (BUF)
  • Chase Reid, RHD, Soo Greyhounds (2026)
  • Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen, LHD, Michigan

Goalies

  • Caleb Heil, G, Madison Capitols (TBL)
  • Nick Kempf, G, Notre Dame (WSH)
  • Brady Knowling, G, U.S. National Under-18 Team (2026)

Germany World Juniors Roster 2026

Forwards

  • Lenny Boos, C, Dusseldorf DEG Metro Stars
  • Gustavs Griva, RW, Madison Capitols
  • Timo Kose, RW, Frankfurt Lowen
  • David Lewandowski, LW, Saskatoon Blades (EDM)
  • Nick Maul, RW, Rud Bull Akademie U20
  • Elias Pul, LW, Saskatoon Blades
  • Clemens Sager, LW, Kassel Huskies
  • Maxim Schäfer, RW, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (WSH)
  • Elias Schneider, C, Shawinigan Cataractes 
  • Tim Schütz, LW, Krefelder Pinguine
  • Tobias Schwarz, LW, Straubing Tigers
  • Simon Seidl, C, Straubing Tigers
  • Mateu Späth, C, Salmon Arm Silverbacks
  • Dustin Willhöft, RW, Saskatoon Blades

Defense

  • Max Bleicher, D, Powell River Kings
  • Carlos Händel, D, Halifax Mooseheads (MTL)
  • Max Hense, D, Trail Smoke Eaters
  • Fabio Kose, D, Frankfurt Lowen
  • Moritz Kretzschmar, D, Eisbaren Berlin
  • Nick Mähler, D, Adler Manheim
  • Matthias Pape, D, Trail Smoke Eaters
  • Manuel Schams, D, Kassel Huskies

Goalies

  • Lennart Neisse, G, Eisbaren Berlin
  • Lukas Stuhrmann, G, RoKi
  • Linus Veillard, G, Spokane Chiefs

2026 World Junior Championship Teams

View the list of teams, by group, for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Group A

  • USA
  • Germany
  • Switzerland
  • Sweden
  • Slovakia

Group B

  • Canada
  • Czechia
  • Latvia
  • Denmark
  • Finland

Follow FloHockey's Coverage Of The 2026 World Junior Championship

FloHockey will be on site for complete coverage of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. You can expect game-by-game coverage of both Team USA and Team Canada from FloHockey's experts, interviews with key players and coaches and much more. Follow FloHockey's WJC coverage here.

NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey

The best, and most complete, coverage of the NHL minor league hockey and NHL Draft is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.

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