The United States didn’t have as easy a time as it did the last two times it faced Germany, but it got scoring at the right times for a 6-3 win and a 1-0 record at the world junior hockey championship.
The two-time defending champions beat Germany 10-4 last year and 8-0 in a pre-tournament game this year. It appeared to be heading toward another blowout on Friday, Dec. 26 by taking a 3-0 lead in the first period in Saint Paul, Minnesota, but Germany cut that lead to 4-3 in the second period.
University of North Dakota forward Will Zellers and Boston University’s Cole Eiserman restored the USA’s three-goal lead before the end of the second period. The Americans outshot Germany 15-4 in the third period to prevent any further comeback.
Zellers, a Minnesota native, finished with two goals, as he did in the pre-tournament game.
The USA, trying for its first three-peat at the tournament, will face Switzerland on Saturday (6 p.m. ET, NHL Network).
The Americans are in a group with Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia and Sweden. Group play will take place through New Year’s Eve. The quarterfinals will be Jan. 2, the semifinals on Jan. 4 and the medal games on Jan. 5.
USA TODAY provided live updates from the USA vs. Germany game. Here are the highlights:
USA vs. Germany highlights
Up next for Team USA
The USA will face Switzerland, which will be playing its first game of the tournament, on Saturday. The Americans routed Switzerland 7-2 in the tournament last year.
Players of the game
Dustin Willhoft (two assists) was Germany’s player of the game. The USA award went to Denver University’s Brendan McMorrow, who had an assist and played a physical game.
Final score: USA 6, Germany 3
The USA built a 3-0 lead, saw it cut to 4-3 but then pulled away with two late goals in the second period. The Americans and Germans played a scoreless third period, but the USA dominated. It outshot Germany 15-4 in the period and 47-21 for the game. Will Zellers had two goals and an assist.
Germany power play
Anthony Spellacy is called for high sticking.
One minute left
6-3 USA.
Germany power play
Cole McKinney is called for interference. Germany didn’t score on its lone power play earlier and the USA has a bunch of short-handed chances early. The USA kills the penalty and McKinney is stopped on a breakaway chance after he comes out of the penalty box.
Midway through third period
No goals in this period, but the USA is outshooting Germany 7-0 so far.
Third period underway
USA leads 6-3.
End of second: USA 6, Germany 3
Germany played better defensively at the start of the period and cut the USA lead to 4-3. But the Americans showed their superior firepower with goals by Will Zellers and Cole Eiserman a little more three minutes apart. Zellers has two goals and an assist and Cole Hutson has two assists. Shots are 32-17 USA.
USA pulling away
Lennart Neisse robbed Cole Eiserman. Not on the second opportunity as the USA takes a three-goal lead. USA 6, Germany 3
USA’s Will Zellers scores again
Will Zellers scored twice in the exhibition game against Germany. Now he has two goals in this game. He takes a pass near the blue line from Anthony Spellacy, skates to the high slot and rips in a shot. USA 5, Germany 3
Team USA chance
Chase Reid’s one-timer hits the post. Still 4-3 USA.
USA power play
Timo Kose is called for boarding. USA is 0-for-2 so far on the power play. Now 0-for-3. Germany’s Lennart Neisse stops Will Horcoff in tight.
Germany responds with quick goal
Lenny Boos scores 56 seconds after Zellers’ goal. Dustin Willhoft gets his second assist of the game. USA 4, Germany 3
USA scores
Right after the USA power play ends, Will Zellers scores a big goal. He’s in front and deposits a rebound of a Cole Hutson shot. USA 4, Germany 2
Germany penalized
Elias Pul is called for interference. Eight seconds of four-on-four, then a USA power play.
Germany power play
Chase Reid is called for slashing.
Germany pulls closer
Dustin Willhoft blocks a USA clearing attempt, makes a move and finds Simon Seidl alone in front. USA 3, Germany 2
Second period underway
3-1 USA, which opens the period on a power play. Germany kills it off.
End of first: USA 3, Germany 1
The Americans, who routed Germany 8-0 in an exhibition and 10-4 in last year’s tournament, is off to another good start. The USA has Germany on its heels with long stretch passes, good forechecking and balanced scoring. Nine U.S. players have at least a point. Germany gets a goal late to keep it closer. Shots are 13-10 USA.
USA power play
Germany’s Moritz Kretzschmar is called for holding at 18:56. The penalty will carry into the second period.
LJ Mooney injury update
He’s back in the game after blocking a shot with his hand earlier in the period. He draws a penalty.
Germany scores
USA goalie Caleb Heil makes a chest save on a Carlos Handel shot, but the rebound drops into the crease, where Timo Kose pokes it home. USA 3, Germany 1
USA makes it 3-0
Will Horcoff scores from the slot after a pass from Brodie Ziemer. James Hagens picks up the second assist. USA 3, Germany 0
USA makes it 2-0
Defenseman Chase Reid puts in a rebound after a USA flurry. USA 2, Germany 0
LJ Mooney injury update
USA’s LJ Mooney heads to the dressing room after blocking a shot with his hand.
USA takes the lead
Teddy Stiga hits the post on a breakaway and Max Plante scores on the rebound at 5:34. USA 1, Germany 0.
Team USA save
Caleb Heil stops Maxim Schafer’s shot from the slot to keep the game scoreless.
Game underway
USA’s Caleb Heil and Germany’s Lennart Neisse are the goaltenders.
USA vs. Germany streaming
What channel is USA vs. Germany world juniors hockey game today?
TV channel: NHL Network
Livestream: Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subcriber, or Sling TV
Watch USA vs. Germany on Fubo
What time is USA vs. Germany world juniors hockey game today?
Date: Friday, Dec. 26
Time: 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time)
The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time) from Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the home of the Minnesota Wild.
World juniors USA vs Germany: How to watch, stream
Time: 6 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 26
Location: Grand Casino Arena, Saint Paul, Minnesota
TV: NHL Network
Streaming: Fubo and certain levels of Sling TV carry NHL Network.
Today’s world juniors hockey schedule
Friday, Dec. 26
Sweden 3 Slovakia 2: Blackhawks prospect Anton Frondell had a goal and an assist as Sweden took a 2-0 lead before Slovakia rallied. Draft-eligible Ivar Stenberg broke the tie to give Sweden the win.
Finland 6, Denmark 2: Roope Vesterinen scored twice for Finland, which outshot Denmark 43-10.
USA 6, Germany 3: Will Zellers had two goals and an assist for the USA, which outshot Germany 47-21.
Canada 7, Czechia 5: Flames prospect Zayne Parekh scored twice for Canada, which had lost to Czechia in the last two quarterfinals.
Full schedule
USA lines vs. Germany
Germany lines vs. USA
USA vs. Germany world juniors history
This will be the 16th meeting between the USA and Germany at the world junior championships. Team USA has won all but one of the first 15 meetings. The Americans beat Germany 10-4 in the 2025 tournament..
8 U.S. players back from gold-medal team
The United States has brought back eight players from last year’s gold medal team: forwards Cole Eiserman, James Hagens, Max Plante, Teddy Stiga and Brodie Ziemer, plus defensemen Logan Hensler, Cole Hutson and Adam Kleber. Stiga scored the overtime goal in the gold-medal game against Finland.
Rosters: USA | Every team
Who is Team USA’s coach?
University of Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko is guiding the U.S. national junior team for the third time. He led Team USA to a gold medal in 2017 and to a bronze in 2018.
World juniors players to watch
Two players who are battling to be the No. 1 overall pick in 2026 are among the players to watch at the tournament. Penn State’s Gavin McKenna had been the top prospect but has dropped a little. Sweden’s Ivar Stenberg is considered No. 1 at the moment but that could change with this tournament. Stenberg scored the tiebreaking goal in Sweden’s 3-2 win against Slovakia.
World juniors 2026 predictions
Who will win gold, silver and bronze at this year’s world junior championships? Who will take home the individual awards? Here are predictions from The Hockey News staff.