Dominating Streak: Team USA’s Power Play Prowess
In an electrifying pre-tournament match against Germany, Team USA showcased its exceptional offensive skills, taking the lead with a series of impressive plays that left fans on the edge of their seats. Just 34 seconds in, during a power play opportunity, Luke Osburn, hailing from Plymouth, Mich. and currently representing the University of Wisconsin, executed a brilliant cross-ice pass. This exceptional setup found Ryker Lee from Wilmette, Ill., who promptly tucked the puck past German goaltender Lennart Neisse, which established a confident 2-0 lead for the Americans.
As the game progressed into the middle frame at 3:51, Team USA continued to capitalize on its power play. Lee, showcasing his agility and determination, maneuvered past two German defenders and found himself in prime scoring territory. With finesse, he executed a backhand pass to Will Zellers, a Maple Grove, Minn. native playing for the University of North Dakota. Zellers, stationed at the bottom of the right circle, made quick work of the opportunity, unleashing a one-timer that found the back of the net, extending the score to 3-0.
Adding to the tally just before the end of the second period, Teddy Stiga from Sudbury, Mass., further showcased Team USA’s offense by wristing the puck to the top shelf off another assist from Lee. Within mere seconds, Horcoff capitalized on a breakaway chance, bringing the score to a staggering 5-0, with assists credited to Ziemer and EJ Emery from Compton, Calif. and the University of North Dakota.
In a game defined by relentless teamwork and quick decisions, the U.S. showed no signs of slowing down. At the 1:30 mark of the final stanza, while down a man, Shane Vansaghi, from St. Louis, Mo., executed a timely interception in the defensive zone. His pass to Cole McKinney, who was on a solo breakaway through the neutral zone, epitomized the swift puck transition. McKinney went on to complete the backhand shot, further extending Team USA’s advantage to 6-0.
The scoring hysteria didn’t end there. Zellers, demonstrating his remarkable skill set, added to his tally four minutes before the game’s conclusion, scoring with a wrist shot from the top of the circles, albeit on a power play.
With just 2:26 left on the clock, Ziemer, putting the finishing touches on this commanding performance, scored off a slick feed from Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen from Northville, Mich. and the University of Michigan. This goal secured the final score at an imposing 8-0, serving as a stark reminder of Team USA’s formidable presence on the ice.
In terms of goaltending, Brady Knowling, from Chicago, Ill., made a seamless impact early on, playing the first 27:23 and making 12 saves to earn the win. He was followed by Nick Kempf, from Morton Grove, Ill., who brought home another 12 saves in the final 32:37, further solidifying the U.S. defense.
Team USA will be looking to keep its momentum as it heads into its second and final pre-tournament game against Finland on December 23. Scheduled for 6 p.m. local time at AMSOIL Arena in Duluth, Minn., fans can catch all the action streaming live on USAHockeyTV.com. With tickets for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship already on sale, excitement is brewing as fans prepare to witness the future of American hockey.
Game Stats: The match statistics were stark, with Team USA outshooting Germany 49-24. In power play efficiency, Team USA converted 3 out of 6 opportunities, while Germany struggled, going 0 for 4.