2025 IIHF Worlds: USA Dominates Kazakhstan in 6-1 Victory

Both Team USA and Kazakhstan took to the ice yesterday. The U.S. earned a 6-3 victory over Germany, with Conor Garland contributing a goal and three assists, and Clayton Keller adding a goal and two assists. The game was unusual, as the U.S. scored the only three goals in both the first and third periods, while Germany tallied all three of their goals in the second. On the other hand, Kazakhstan secured its sole win of the tournament back on May 10 against Norway. They came up short yesterday, falling 8-1 to Czechia, the top team in Group B.

Team USA needs just a single point in today’s match to secure a spot in the quarterfinals, scheduled for Thursday. Heading into this game, the U.S. has three players tied for the team’s top spot in points: Logan Cooley (3G, 4A), Clayton Keller (2G, 5A), and Tage Thompson (2G, 5A).

Team USA will wrap up the preliminary round on Tuesday, May 20, against Czechia at 10:20 a.m. ET (4:20 p.m. local).

First Period

The game between Team USA and Kazakhstan kicked off with both teams having their starting goaltenders in place: Jeremy Swayman for the United States and Sergei Kudryavtsev for Kazakhstan.

At 08:16, Kazakhstan’s Valeriy Orekhov was penalized for interference, sending the U.S. to a power play. However, despite the man advantage, Team USA was unable to capitalize.

Shortly after, Kazakhstan had a strong scoring opportunity. A shot on Swayman required him to make a crucial split save to keep the game scoreless. The rebound was almost there for Kazakhstan, but Swayman quickly regained his position, denying them the chance to find the net.

The U.S. continued to apply pressure in the final minutes of the period, but at 20:00, Conor Garland of Team USA was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, sending Kazakhstan to the power play at the start of the second.

First Period Stats

• Shots on Goal: USA 9 | Kazakhstan 9
• Saves: Swayman 5 | Kudryavtsev 2
• PIM: USA 2 | Kazakhstan 2

Second Period

At the start of the second period, Team USA was on the penalty kill. Kazakhstan tried to take advantage of the opportunity. A wrist shot from Kazakhstan nearly found its way toward the net. Jeremy Swayman made the initial save, but he got tangled up in the crease, leading to a mild fray in front of the net. Swayman kept his composure and managed to cover the puck, preventing any further scoring chances.

Team USA successfully killed off the penalty, and as play continued, they tried to press offensively. However, Kazakhstan’s defense remained strong, with the team clearing the puck effectively and not giving up many quality scoring opportunities. Zach Werenski made a strong attempt, firing a shot on net, but the puck couldn’t find its way through the traffic in front of Sergei Kudryavtsev, and Kazakhstan’s defense cleared it away. Later in the period, Tage Thompson had a solid opportunity to put the U.S. on the board, but Kudryavtsev came up with a big save, denying Thompson’s chance and keeping the game scoreless. Despite the efforts from Team USA, Kazakhstan’s defense continued to stand tall, clearing the puck effectively and limiting quality scoring opportunities.

At 26:58, Frank Nazar broke the deadlock for Team USA. Nazar’s goal put the Americans ahead 1-0, giving the U.S. the momentum they needed as the game progressed.

GOAL (26:58): Frank Nazar (USA) – Even Strength | Assisted by Jackson Lacombe, Mikey Eyssimont

After the goal, Team USA kept the pressure on Kazakhstan’s zone, with quick puck movement between Michael Kesselring and Clayton Keller. The U.S. continued to push forward, looking for another goal as they dominated possession in Kazakhstan’s end.

Just moments later, at 36:05, Jackson Lacombe added another for Team USA, increasing their lead to 3-0. Lacombe took a quick shot that beat Kudryavtsev, with assists from Frank Nazar and Michael McCarron.

GOAL (36:05): Jackson Lacombe (USA) – Even Strength | Assisted by Frank Nazar, Michael McCarron

It seemed the floodgates had now opened for the Americans at 34:00, with Tage Thompson scoring and increasing the U.S. lead to 3-0. Thompson took advantage of the play, shooting past Kudryavtsev into the net.

GOAL (34:00): Tage Thompson (USA) – Even Strength | Assisted by Zeev Buium, Shane Pinto

Once again, the Americans added to their tally at 38:14, when Matty Beniers found the back of the net with a beautiful release of the puck, beating the Kazakhstan netminder with a smooth toe drag to make it 4-0.

GOAL (38:14): Matty Beniers (USA) – Even Strength | Assisted by Drew O’Connor

Following Beniers’ goal, Kazakhstan took a timeout to regroup after the Americans’ offensive surge.

With under one minute remaining in the period, Michael Kesselring fired a precise shot that beat the Kazakhstan goaltender, Sergei Kudryavtsev, to the corner of the net bringing the score to 5-0 for Team USA.

GOAL (39:30): Michael Kesselring (USA) – Even Strength | Assisted by Jackson Lacombe, Mikey Eyssimont

The second period concluded with Team USA leading 5-0.

Second Period Stats

• Shots on Goal: USA 17 | Kazakhstan 7
• Saves: Swayman 7 | Kudryavtsev 12
• PIM: USA 0 | Kazakhstan 0

Third Period

Kazakhstan made a goaltender change for the final frame. They pulled Sergei Kudryavtsev from the game and sent in Maxim Pavlenko to start the third period.

As the third period progressed, Team USA kept the puck in their offensive zone for extended periods, dominating possession. Kazakhstan struggled to gain any momentum, with the U.S. shutting down their attempts to break out. The US regained control whenever Kazakhstan managed to get the puck out of their zone. The Americans continued to press, limiting Kazakhstan’s chances and not allowing them to generate much offense.

Team USA would add to their lead with Michael Kesselring feeding Zach Werenski, who fired it past Pavlenko. The play by the Americans was relentless, and Kazakhstan couldn’t shut it down. The U.S. grabbed their sixth goal of the game to extend their lead to 6-0.

GOAL (46:23): Zach Werenski (USA) – Even Strength | Assisted by Michael Kesselring, Clayton Keller

At 48:45, Team USA took a penalty, with Logan Cooley called for slashing. Kazakhstan would have their second power play opportunity of the game.

On the power play, Kazakhstan’s Valeriy Orekhov made a strong move to the slot and fired a shot on net. Jeremy Swayman was quick to make the save, keeping the shutout intact.

While Kazakhstan was on the power play, Conor Garland made a strong effort for a short-handed goal. He couldn’t connect on the pass, keeping the score intact. Moments later, Shane Pinto tried to add to the lead with a shot . The puck went wide, missing an opportunity for the U.S. to increase their advantage.

Kazakhstan’s Valeriy Orekhov made a strong move to the slot and fired a shot on net. Jeremy Swayman was again quick to make the save. The Team USA penalty kill was successful, and the Americans not allowing much as they returned to full strength.

After the penalty kill, at 50:35, Kazakhstan’s Roman Starchenko had another quality shot on net. However, Swayman was once again there, making the save. Conor Garland had his own chance, but Pavlenko was quick to glove the puck. Pavlenko prevented a potential short-handed seventh goal for the Americans.

However, with just second left on the clock, Kazakhstan would score a short-handed goal to break Swayman’s shutout. Vladimir Volkov took advantage of a 2-on-1 break and found the back of the net, making it 6-1.

GOAL (55:20): Vladimir Volkov (Kazakhstan) – Short-Handed | Unassisted

Despite Kazakhstan’s efforts to respond, Team USA held on to their dominant performance, securing the 6-1 victory.

Third Period Stats

• Shots on Goal: USA 12 | Kazakhstan 5
• Saves: Swayman 4 | Pavlenko 11
• PIM: USA 2 | Kazakhstan 2

Final Game Summary

Despite an early struggle to break through in the first period, the Americans found their rhythm in the second, lighting up the scoreboard with five goals. Jeremy Swayman kept his composure in net, and the U.S. capitalized on their offensive opportunities, with standout performances from Frank Nazar, Jackson Lacombe, Zach Werenski, and others.

As Team USA moves forward in the tournament, they’ve shown they can close out games with decisive action, something they’ll look to build on in their upcoming matchups. Kazakhstan, though outmatched, fought hard, and Vladimir Volkov’s short-handed goal late in the game showed this. The Americans will now look to refine their play further as they approach the knockout rounds, aiming for their first gold since 1933.

Final Stats

• Shots on Goal: USA 38 | Kazakhstan 17
• Saves: Swayman 16 | Pavlenko 32
• PIM: USA 4 | Kazakhstan 4

Players of the Game

Kazakhstan: #64 Mikhail Shestakov – Shestakov played a solid game for Kazakhstan, keeping his team composed and contributing with key defensive plays. Despite the tough loss, he maintained his presence on the ice and worked hard to contain the U.S. attack.
USA: #2 Jackson Lacombe – Lacombe was a key player in Team USA’s defensive zone, contributing offensively with a goal and maintaining his consistency throughout the game. His defensive presence and ability to transition the puck to offense were critical to the U.S.’s success in this game.