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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.
First dub in the books 🙌🙌 #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/FZ9N1BN4fe
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.
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.
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.
After 40 mins! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/mvDcTaJWT7
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.
Cole ➡️ Cole ➡️ Goal 🚨
Cole Hutson (WSH) and Cole Eiserman (NYI) have done this a few times before. @TerrierHockey and @USAHockeyNTDP can vouch. USA up 6-3.#WorldJuniorspic.twitter.com/S5jGCyEmKi
Will Zellers rips it straight past the goalie to extend the USA’s lead.
Two goals and one assist from Zellers tonight.
TWO big goals for @GamblersHockeyalum and @UNDmhockey star freshman Will Zellers (BOS) has Team USA pulling away from Germany. Here’s his second. What a shot! #WorldJuniors
pic.twitter.com/cvipNmVzwI
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Taking a ✌️ goal lead into the second period! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/KzxOQZ8Hd3
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.
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.
Just like that it’s three nothing for team USA. Will Horcoff scores off a Brodie Ziemer and James Hagens assist.
Think @umichhockey has seen this one a few times this year… Will Horcoff (PIT) wires one to make it 3-0 USA. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/sm0GfXNeX2
Chase Reid sinks a second goal for the USA off assists by Will Zellers and Brendan McMorrow.
Chase Reid (2026) has been filling nets all year with @OHLHoundPower. Why would it be any different at the #WorldJuniors? 2-0 USA. pic.twitter.com/wr6Mni0PqD
USA puts the first points on the board. Teddy Stiga rebound off the post is buried by Max Plante.
Alexa, Play Freebird 🦅🇺🇸
Max Plante (DET) gets the party started early at the #WorldJuniors.
pic.twitter.com/GXA8qZB3WU
The puck has dropped and the action kicks off in Saint Paul.
Puck? Dropped 🏒 First period action has begun!
📺 NHL Network
📖 https://t.co/JxAeiDPhcI
📈 https://t.co/LRBpcVS7iL pic.twitter.com/s0YsVwYA9H
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.
Die U20 ist bereit für Spiel 1 bei den #worldjuniors 2026! Spielbeginn ist um 00:10 Uhr gegen die USA – live und kostenlos bei MagentaSport 🔥#debteams #WorldJuniors #GERUSA pic.twitter.com/6UEWrzExnY
Germany 🆚 USA 🔜 #WorldJuniors #IIHF pic.twitter.com/wY8zV7fvJS
Scores
Upcoming Matches Today
The USA last played Germany on Dec. 21, 2025 for their first World Juniors pre-competition match.
1st Period
2nd Period
3rd Period
Scratches: EJ Emery (NYR), Kamil Bednarik (NYI), Nick Kempf (WSH)
The USA World Juniors squad enters the Grand Casino Arena ready to take on Germany.
The boys have arrived 👋 #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/3ZZky1LIGB
View the full schedule below for the Group Stage and Knockout rounds of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in 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.
View the list of teams, by group, for the 2026 IIHF 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.
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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