Team USA is coming off a 6-3 win over Germany yesterday before an energetic crowd at GCA in its first game of the tournament. Will Zellers (Maple Grove, Minn./University of North Dakota) had two goals and an assist to lead the U.S. offense, which included five different goal scorers in all. The U.S. outshot Germany by a 47-21 count and Caleb Heil (Victoria, Minn./Madison Capitols) made 18 saves in goal to pick up the win.
The U.S. and Switzerland will meet for the 28th time in the World Juniors tonight and Team USA has never lost to the Swiss, with 25 victories and two ties. The teams last met in the quarterfinals of last year’s tournament with Team USA earning a 7-2 win behind two goals each from James Hagens and Ryan Leonard.
Switzerland, which finished eighth in last year’s World Juniors, did not play yesterday on the opening day of the tournament.
Following tonight’s game, Team USA will have a day off before facing Slovakia on Monday (Dec. 29).
