Nick Saban explains why he owns minority stake in Nashville Predators
Nick Saban explains why he owns minority stake in Nashville Predators
The United States is playing in its second of back-to-back nights as it pushes toward its first three-peat at the world junior hockey championship.
One day after defeating Germany 6-3 in the 2026 tournament opener, the USA will face Switzerland on Saturday, Dec. 27 (6 p.m. ET, NHL Network).
The USA routed Switzerland 7-2 in the quarterfinals of the 2025 tournament on its way to its first back-to-back titles. The Swiss will be playing their first game of this year’s tournament.
The Americans are in a group with Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia and Sweden with the top four advancing. Group play will take place through New Year’s Eve. The quarterfinals will be Jan. 2, the semifinals on Jan. 4 and the medal games on Jan. 5.
Here’s what to know about the USA vs. Switzerland game, including how to watch:
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
NHL Network announces that Cole Hutson has been taken to the hospital.
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.
What channel is USA vs. Switzerland world juniors hockey game today?
TV channel: NHL Network
Livestream: Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers, or Sling TV.
What time is USA vs. Switzerland world juniors hockey game today?
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.
World juniors USA vs Switzerland: How to watch, stream
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.
Today’s world juniors hockey schedule
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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