The United States had to overcome adversity to beat Switzerland 2-1 and improve to 2-0 at the world junior hockey championship.
The biggest was the loss of star defenseman Cole Hutson, who left the game on a stretcher after being hit in the head by a shot in the second period. He was evaluated at a local hospital and was discharged to rejoin his teammates, USA Hockey said.
The USA, which led 1-0 at the time on a Brodie Ziemer goal, gave up a tying goal to Switzerland soon after the injury. But Notre Dame goalie Nick Kempf came up with a big save on a breakaway then Will Zellers restored the USA’s lead.
Zellers did the same in the USA’s opening game, scoring each time Germany had pulled within a goal. He has three goals and the game-winning goal in both games.
There wasn’t much room to maneuver as Switzerland played a tight-checking game. After getting 47 shots in the opener, the USA was held to 20 on Saturday.
“It was a battle and I give our guys a lot of credit, they played a heckuva game,” said Team USA Bob Motzko. “They’re (Switzerland) a well-coached team and keep coming at you.”
Next up for the USA is Slovakia on Dec. 29 and Sweden on Dec. 31 to finish group play. The top four advance to the quarterfinals, which will be Jan. 2. The semifinals are on Jan. 4 and the medal games on Jan. 5.
USA TODAY provided live updates for the USA vs. Switzerland game. Here are game highlights:
USA Hockey reports that Cole Hutson was released from the hospital and is back with the team. He’s listed as day-to-day.
The USA will play Slovakia on Monday, Dec. 29. Slovakia is 1-1 after falling to Sweden in the opener and beating Germany on Saturday.
Giam Meier for Switzerland and Brodie Ziemer for the USA.
The Americans survive a tight-checking game and the loss of Cole Hutson, who left the game on a stretcher. Brodie Ziemer and Will Zellers scored the goals. Zellers has two game-winning goals in two games. Nick Kempf was steady in net, stopping a breakaway not long after Switzerland had tied the game.
USA still up 2-1 with 43.2 seconds left.
Christian Kirsch is on the bench for an extra attacker with less than two minutes left.
LJ Mooney hits the post and goalie Christian Kirsch stops him on another attempt.
Asher Barnett is called for holding the stick. The USA kills it off.
Still 2-1. Tight-checking period.
Robin Antenen is called for roughing. USA is 0-for-5 in the tournament and is now 0-for-6.
2-1 USA. Switzerland kills off the rest of the U.S. power play.
NHL Network reported that Cole Hutson is under observation at a local hospital and was conscious and alert.
Switzerland tied the game not long after star defenseman Cole Hutson was taken off the ice on a stretcher, but Will Zellers restored the USA lead with his third goal of the tournament.
Ludvig Johnson is called for delay of game. The power play will carry into the third period.
Will Zellers throws a puck at the net and it beats Christian Kirsch up high for a 2-1 lead. It’s the third goal of the tournament for Zellers. USA 2, Switzerland 1
Basile Sansonnens takes a shot from the point and it beats a screened USA goalie Nick Kempf over his glove to tie the game. USA 1, Switzerland 1.
USA defenseman Cole Hutson is down on the ice after appearing to get hit in the neck or back of the head by a shot. Stretcher is coming out and they’ve immobilized him and wheeled him off. He was moving his feet around while on the ice.
USA-Switzerland continues to be a tight-checking game. Americans lead 1-0. Just five shots so far in the period.
No upset this time. Canada’s Michael Hage scores 44 seconds in overtime for a 2-1 win. Gavin McKenna picked up his second assist of the game.
Latvia ties the game with less than two minutes left and it’s going to overtime with the score 1-1. Latvia upset Canada at last season’s tournament in the round robin.
Brodie Ziemer takes a drop pass and rips a shot past Christian Kirsch at 1:12. James Hagens and Will Horcoff get the assists. USA 1, Switzerland 0
Still scoreless.
Already a big change from the 2025 quarterfinals, when the USA dominated and Christian Kirsch was pulled. Kirsch has been solid, Switzerland has forechecked well and had the early lead in shots. But the USA plays better down the stretch and now has outshot Switzerland 8-4. Teddy Stiga had two scoring chances and set up Brodie Ziemer on another.
Logan Hensler is called for holding. USA kills it off. The Americans get good short-handed chances by Cole Hutson and Brodie Ziemer, but the game remains scoreless.
Stiga has been the USA’s most dangerous player this game. Christian Kirsch makes a glove save on him.
Jamiro Reber is called for hooking. The USA went 0-for-3 on the power play against Germany in the opener. They’re now 0-for-4 in the tournament. The Americans get one shot with the man advantage.
Scoreless. Shots are 3-2 Switzerland. Nick Kempf is called upon to make a few big saves.
USA is 1-0. Switzerland is making its 2026 tournament debut.
TV channel: NHL Network
Livestream: Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers, or Sling TV.
Date: Saturday, Dec. 27
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) at the Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the home of the Minnesota Wild.
Time: 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 27
Location: Grand Casino Arena (Saint Paul, Minnesota)
TV: NHL Network
Streaming: Fubo and certain levels of Sling TV carry NHL Network.
All times p.m. ET
Saturday, Dec. 27
USA’s Nick Kempf vs. Switzerland’s Christian Kirsch. Kempf plays for Notre Dame. Kirsch was pulled in the 2025 quarterfinals when the USA scored three goals in less than five minutes.
The USA and Switzerland are meeting for the 28th time at the world junior championships. The USA has never lost, recording 25 victories and two ties.
Capitals prospect Cole Hutson needs one point to tie Erik Johnson (14) for most points by a U.S. defenseman at the world junior championships. Hutson led all scorers last season with 11 points and had two assists in the opener against Germany.
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.
All except Hensler recorded a point against Germany. Hutson had two points.
Hagens scored twice against Switzerland during last season’s tournament quarterfinal.
Will Zellers scored twice, restoring the USA’s two-goal lead after Germany pulled within 3-2 and 4-3. Cole Eiserman also scored after Zellers’ second goal for the final 6-3 margin. The Americans outshot Germany 15-4 in a scoreless third period and 47-21 for the game.
Who will win gold, silver and bronze at this year’s tournament? Who will take home the individual awards? Here are predictions from The Hockey News staff.
Hockey Canada issued a statement apologizing for skating off the ice after its 7-5 win against Czechia on Friday without shaking hands.
“I didn’t know, but I know now,” Canada coach Dale Hunter told reporters. “There will be a handshake (after the Latvia game), and I’ll say sorry to the Czechs.”
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