Switzerland answered at 12:19 to even the score after the first and took the lead :51 seconds into the second period.
Team USA, however, responded with seconds left on a power play at 9:46 from Dayne Beuker (Portland, Ore.). Logan Stuart (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) danced around the circle before he dumped a pass to Beuker who cut towards the crease and fired it past starting Swiss netminder Dominic Ziegler.
Beuker’s tally remained the only goal from there on out by either side by the end of regulation as a 3-on-3 overtime was needed to determine a winner.
The two teams traded a scoring opportunity, as a rush from Switzerland was turned aside by starting U.S. netminder Brady Knowling (Chicago, Ill.).
Francisco was the overtime hero as he netted the game-winning goal at 1:20 of overtime. Mikey Berchild (Minnetonka, Minn.) sped into the zone with the puck and fired a shot on net. He picked up the rebound near the boards battled with a Swiss defender and made his way towards the crease. Francisco was right at the doorstep as Berchild fed it to him for the tap-in and the win, 3-2.
Team USA wraps up the 2026 U18 Five Nations Tournament against Team Finland tomorrow (Feb. 8), with puck drop set for 6:00 a.m. ET.
The U18s return back to USA Hockey Arena Friday, March 20 as it’ll host the Waterloo Black Hawks for its annual Military Appreciation Weekend. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET and tickets are available at USAHockeyNTDP.com/tix or by calling the box office at 734-453-8400.
