2025 IIHF Worlds Quarterfinals: Team USA & Switzerland Cruise to Semifinals

Today’s action in the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship showcased two compelling quarterfinal matchups, with Team USA and Switzerland advancing to the semifinals in commanding fashion. Team USA overcame a slow start to defeat Finland 5-2, rallying from a 2-1 deficit to secure the win with timely goals and stellar special teams play. Meanwhile, Switzerland cruised to a 6-0 victory over Austria, dominating from start to finish with a balanced offensive attack and a shutout performance from goalie Leonardo Genoni. Both teams are now eyeing a spot in the gold medal game as they prepare for their next challenges in Stockholm.

Team USA vs Finland

Final Score: Team USA 5 – 2 Finland

First Period

The game started with both teams playing cautiously, looking to avoid mistakes. Team USA opened the scoring on a power play at 4:50, as Zach Werenski passed to Logan Cooley, who found Conor Garland streaking to the net. Garland made no mistake, firing the puck past Finnish goalie Juuse Saros for a 1-0 lead.

Finland responded with a power-play goal of their own at 12:58, as Eeli Tolvanen slammed home a rebound off a shot by Teuvo Teravainen, tying the game at 1-1.

The teams exchanged penalties in the first period. USA’s Mikey Eyssimont was penalized for hooking at 6:54, and Finland’s Mikko Lehtonen received an interference penalty at 18:16. USA’s Clayton Keller was also called for interference at 17:37, and Finland’s Juuso Parssinen was penalized for hooking at 4:27. Despite the penalty-heavy period, neither team was able to take the lead, leaving the game tied at 1-1 at the end of the first.

First Period Stats:

• Shots on Goal: USA 6 | Finland 8
• Saves: USA 7 | Finland 5
• PIM: USA 6 | Finland 4

Second Period

Finland took their first lead of the game early in the second period, as Patrik Puistola scored on the power play at 27:46, assisted by Teravainen and Lehtonen, giving Finland a 2-1 lead. However, Team USA quickly responded with two goals in 71 seconds.

At 34:53, Zeev Buium tied the game at 2-2 with a rebound goal, assisted by Matty Beniers and Zach Werenski. Just over a minute later, USA regained the lead at 36:04 when Conor Garland netted his second goal of the night on the power play, with assists from Tage Thompson and Logan Cooley, making it 3-2 for the Americans.

Team USA continued to dominate, and at 45:52, Shane Pinto added a fourth goal, assisted by Will Smith and Cutter Gauthier, to extend the lead to 4-2.

Second Period Stats:

• Shots on Goal: USA 8 | Finland 8
• Saves: USA 7 | Finland 6
• PIM: USA 2 | Finland 2

Third Period

Finland pulled Saros for the extra attacker with just over two minutes remaining, but Clayton Keller sealed the victory for Team USA with an empty-net goal at 57:15, assisted by Shane Pinto, making it 5-2. The Finnish push was ineffective, and the Americans held their lead to advance to the semifinals.

Third Period Stats:

• Shots on Goal: USA 14 | Finland 6
• Saves: USA 6 | Finland 12
• PIM: USA 2 | Finland 2

Final Summary

Team USA advances to the semifinals with a dominant 5-2 victory over Finland. The Americans overcame a slow start and responded with impressive offensive depth, including two power-play goals and multiple standout performances. Up next, they’ll face their semifinal opponent, aiming to secure a spot in the gold medal game.

Final Stats:

• Shots on Goal: USA 28 | Finland 22
• Saves: USA 20 | Finland 23
• PIM: USA 10 | Finland 8

Key Players:

• USA: Conor Garland (2 goals), Shane Pinto, Will Smith, Clayton Keller (goal, assist)
• Finland: Teuvo Teravainen (assist), Eeli Tolvanen (goal), Patrik Puistola (goal)

Switzerland vs Austria

Final Score: Switzerland 6 – 0 Austria

First Period

Switzerland got off to a strong start, with Christoph Bertschy scoring the opening goal at 6:38. Assisted by Andrea Glauser and Leonardo Genoni, Bertschy took a pass and beat Austrian goalie David Kickert for a 1-0 lead.

Austria struggled to get going early, with Dominic Zwergger taking a boarding penalty at 3:59. Switzerland continued to press, earning a power play opportunity at 9:28 when Lukas Haudum was penalized for tripping. Austria’s penalty troubles continued when Thomas Raffl took a roughing penalty at 15:15, and Glauser followed with a roughing call of his own. Despite the penalties, Switzerland doubled their lead at 11:03 when Timo Meier scored on the power play, assisted by Kevin Fiala and Tyler Moy.

The Swiss increased their dominance at 14:17, with Ken Jager scoring their third goal, assisted by Nino Niederreiter and Simon Knak. Austria’s situation worsened when Vinzenz Rohrer was ejected with a 20-minute game misconduct penalty, after receiving a cross-checking penalty at 19:04.

First Period Stats:

• Shots on Goal: Switzerland 16 | Austria 3
• Saves: Switzerland 3 | Austria 13
• PIM: Switzerland 4 | Austria 31

Second Period

Austria’s penalty woes continued in the second period, as they were penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct at 37:20, followed by Switzerland’s own unsportsmanlike penalty at the same time. Despite these distractions, Switzerland was in control. At 24:36, Sandro Schmid made it 5-0 with a goal, assisted by Andrea Glauser and Tyler Moy.

Austria had a momentary chance with a power play, but Kevin Fiala made them pay at 23:32, scoring for Switzerland with assists from Nino Niederreiter and Dean Kukan. At 46:24, Bernd Wolf of Austria was penalized for roughing, but it was a late goal by Simon Knak that sealed the game for Switzerland, making it 6-0 at 51:46. Knak’s goal was assisted by Ken Jager and Christian Marti.

Second Period Stats:

• Shots on Goal: Switzerland 15 | Austria 6
• Saves: Switzerland 6 | Austria 13
• PIM: Switzerland 8 | Austria 2

Third Period

With the game firmly out of reach, Austria’s hopes for a comeback were extinguished. Switzerland continued to dominate with quick and efficient play. The game’s final moments were spent without any additional penalties, and Switzerland continued to control possession and shut down any offensive attempts by Austria.

Third Period Stats:

• Shots on Goal: Switzerland 9 | Austria 4
• Saves: Switzerland 4 | Austria 8
• PIM: Switzerland 0 | Austria 2

Final Summary

Switzerland advances to the semifinals with an impressive 6-0 victory over Austria. Their balanced offense and solid defense, coupled with a shutout from veteran goalie Leonardo Genoni, put them in a strong position heading into their next game. The Swiss will now look to improve on their silver medal from last year and push for gold.

Final Stats:

• Shots on Goal: Switzerland 40 | Austria 13
• Saves: Switzerland 13 | Austria 34
• PIM: Switzerland 12 | Austria 35

Key Players:

Up Next

Both teams now turn their focus to the semifinals, where Switzerland will aim to improve on their silver medal finish from last year’s World Championship, and Team USA seeks their chance to add another medal to their collection. Switzerland will head to the semifinals having been barely tested, while Team USA will look to carry the momentum from their late-game rally. With their places secured, both teams are poised for exciting matchups in Stockholm.