BREAKING: Team USA kicked off its quest for a third consecutive gold medal at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship with a commanding 6-3 victory over Germany in St. Paul, Minnesota. The thrilling match unfolded at the Grand Casino Arena, where the atmosphere was electric, with chants of “U-S-A” resonating throughout the venue.
The game began with a bang as Teddy Stiga, who scored the decisive golden goal for Team USA last year, nearly found the back of the net just five and a half minutes in. His shot hit the post, but Max Plante was ready to capitalize on the rebound, scoring the opening goal and igniting the crowd.
“It felt almost like playoffs,” Plante remarked. “The whole crowd was behind us. It was unbelievable.” His early goal set the tone for a dominating first period, with Chase Reid and Will Horcoff also scoring to give Team USA a 3-0 lead.
However, things took a turn as Team USA struggled defensively, allowing Germany to claw back into the game with three goals in just under 14 minutes. Coach Bob Motzko acknowledged the defensive lapses, stating, “Your heart is pounding. Bad things happen when you don’t connect the dots.”
Germany’s Timo Kose scored late in the first period, followed by goals from Simon Seidl and Lenny Boos to narrow the gap. With the score at 3-2, Will Zellers scored a pivotal goal to restore Team USA’s two-goal cushion, showcasing his talent just 19 miles from his hometown.
“We knew they were going to come out flying,” Zellers said. “It was a lot of emotion and momentum back our way. It was big for us.”
Despite Germany’s efforts, Team USA regained control with a powerful offensive display, outshooting their opponents 15-4 in the final period. Cole Eiserman sealed the victory with a late goal, further solidifying Team USA’s dominance.
In goal, Caleb Heil made crucial saves, stopping 18 of the 21 shots he faced. The coaching staff will evaluate the performance to determine the starter for Team USA’s next game against Switzerland on December 28 at 5 p.m.
Motzko emphasized the importance of learning from this match, saying, “We want to see more detail. They were a little nervous tonight, too. These are young kids.” As Team USA looks to build on this victory, fans are eager to see how the team responds in their upcoming match.
This victory not only marks a strong start for Team USA but also underscores the competitive spirit of the tournament. The excitement surrounding the World Junior Championship continues to grow as fans anticipate more thrilling action in the days to come.
