MILAN — The USA played its most complete game of the preliminary round and earned itself an easier path to a medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The Americans defeated the Germans 5-1 on Sunday, Feb. 15, to finish atop Group C. That means the USA gains a bye to the quarterfinals and avoids the qualifying round.
There was no adversity in Sunday’s game after two disallowed goals against Latvia and a 2-1 first-period deficit against Denmark. Germany didn’t score until past the midway point of the third period after the USA had built a 5-0 lead.
The USA finished with a 3-0 record and the second overall seed. Auston Matthews had a pair of goals from around the crease also set up Zach Werenski for the game’s opening goal with 8.7 seconds left in the first period.
“We just wanted to win so we could win the group,” Matthew Tkachuk said. “That was the only – we never talked once about top seed at all. None of that seeding stuff. All that handles itself.”
Canada finished first overall, and Slovakia and Finland also earned byes. The four countries will play on Wednesday against the winners of Tuesday’s qualifying games. The USA will play the winner of the Sweden vs. Latvia qualifying game.
USA TODAY provided live updates from Sunday’s USA-Germany game. Here are the highlights:
The qualifying round is on Tuesday, Feb. 17 and the quarterfinals are on Wednesday. Here are the matchups:
The American earn a bye to the quarterfinals.
Matthew Tkachuk is called for unsportsmanlike conduct. USA kills penalty. USA chants start.
5-1 USA.
Nice shot by Tim Stutzle high into the net as Germany breaks through at 11:22 of the third period. USA 5, Germany 1
The USA captain is having a big game. He’s standing in the crease and Jake Sanderson finds him for a easy tip-in. Matthews’ first goal was scored from around the same area. USA 5, Germany 0
Tage Thompson can do it all: skate, stickhandle and shoot hard. He did the last one with a booming one-timer from near the blue line. USA 4, Germany 0
3-0 USA, which is 20 minutes from the Group C title and a bye to the quarterfinals.
Auston Matthews made it 2-0 early in the second period, taking a pass from Matthew Tkachuk just outside the crease. USA moved ahead 3-0 with 2:25 to play in the period when Brock Faber fired a shot on net from along the boards. Jack Eichel had a stick ready by the crease for a potential rebound, but it wasn’t needed: Faber’s shot went in, with assists going to Matthew and Brady Tkachuk.
Brock Faber takes a shot from the point that goalie Maximilian Franzreb can’t glove and it goes into the net at 17:35. The Tkachuk brothers each get an assist. USA 3, Germany 0
USA leads 2-0 and has a 26-15 edge in shots.
Zach Werenski is called for slashing. Germany can throw out Leon Draisaitl and Tim Stutzle on the power play but didn’t do much on its first opportunity. This time, Germany was more dangerous but Connor Hellebuyck kept the puck out.
Quinn Hughes rips a shot and Matthew Tkachuk gets the puck to Auston Matthews, who scores at 3:25. USA 2, Germany 0
Kai Wissmann is called for interference.
Jack Eichel is called for hooking. USA gets shorthanded chances by Brock Nelson and Dylan Larkin. Eichel also gets a chance coming out of the penalty box as the USA kills it off.
1-0 USA.
Latvia’s loss prevents the possibility of a three-way tie atop Group C. That means Germany would clinch Group C if it beats the USA in regulation. The USA will win Group C if it wins Sunday’s game or gets an overtime or shootout loss.
The Germans, much like the Danes the night before, stuck to a simple game plan against the Americans, focusing on keeping the puck out of the of zone and letting goaltender Maximilian Franzgreb saw the puck. USA was unable to generate much momentum off a power play. The Germans got engaged physically, with Moritz Muller dishing it out to Matthew Tkachuk late in the period.
USA scored with 8.7 seconds left in the period with Zach Werenski firing a shot from the right circle, picking a corner of the net off a pass from Auston Matthews.
Zach Werenski scores with 8.7 seconds left in the period from the right faceoff circle after a pass from Auston Matthews. USA 1, Germany 0
Matthew Tkachuk’s helmet comes off, so play was stopped. Jack Eichel put the puck in after the whistle was blown. No goal.
The Germans have the last five shots in the game. Less than two minutes in the first period.
Connor Hellebuyck makes a glove save on JJ Peterka.
The USA has a 12-3 edge in shots and has had several solid chances, but Maximilian Franzreb has kept the puck out.
Lukas Kalble is called for hooking. USA passes it around well and gets some good chances but Maximilian Franzreb makes the saves. Penalty killed.
Maximilian Franzreb stops Matt Boldy in tight.
USA’s Connor Hellebuyck vs. Germany’s Maximilian Franzreb in net. The Jack Eichel line with the Tkachuk brothers is out first.
Puck drop is at 3:10 p.m. ET.
USA Network is broadcasting the game. Peacock is live streaming it.
USA’s Connor Hellebuyck vs. Germany’s Maximilian Franzreb.
This will be his second start. He was in net for a 5-1 win against Latvia in the opener.
Canada beat France 10-2 to improve to 3-0 at the Olympics after the preliminary round. Canada’s goal differential of plus 17 all but officially gives it the top seed in the knockout rounds. The USA would have to beat Germany by at least 10 goals to finish No. 1 overall.
If USA beats Germany, that means a bye into the quarterfinals. The group winers and the fourth-place team advance, while the other eight teams play a qualification round on Tuesday, with the winners advancing to meet the top four seeds.
The 12 teams are divided into three groups. They are:
Teams play one game each against the other three teams in their group. Countries get three points for a regulation win, two for an overtime win, one for an overtime/shootout loss and zero for a regulation loss.
After the preliminary round is complete, teams are seeded 1 through 12 under the following criteria:
The top four teams (group winners and best second-place team) get a bye to the quarterfinals. Teams 5-12 play in a qualifying round, with the winners going to the quarterfinals.
Playoff qualification games are on Feb. 17, quarterfinals are Feb. 18 and semifinals are Feb. 20.
The bronze medal game is Feb. 21 and the gold medal game is Sunday, Feb. 22.
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