The United States finds itself sixth in Group A of the IIHF Men's World Championship, a position that belies a squad still in contention for a quarterfinal berth. Two games remain in the preliminary round, and each win could be the difference between watching the knockout stage from the sidelines or stepping onto the ice for it.
Learning from Latvia
Their most recent outing ended in a 4‑2 loss to Latvia, a result that stings despite a commanding 47‑22 edge in shots on goal. The Americans controlled the tempo, but a few defensive lapses and a hot goaltender from the Latvians turned a dominant performance into a defeat.
Across the pond, Hungary awaits, having secured a solitary victory over Great Britain by a 5‑0 margin. The Hungarians have struggled for consistency, but the United States holds a perfect historical record against them, having won all four previous meetings in the tournament.
Key contributors for the U.S. include Isaac Howard and Mathieu Olivier, who share the team lead in points, and goaltender Devin Cooley, who sits at 2‑1 with a solid record between the pipes. Forward Frank Nazar and Cutter Gauthier each netted two goals in last year's championship, underscoring their ability to change the game's momentum.
Veterans Matthew Tkachuk and Jeremy Swayman join the mix, adding depth to the forward lines, while Max Sasson, Paul Cotter and Oliver Moore provide additional depth as the roster prepares for its final preliminary matchup against Austria on May 26.