2025 IIHF Worlds: USA Fends Off Germany to Secure 6-3 Victory

USA fought off Germany’s late-game push to finish strong with a 6-3 victory in Group B action at the 2025 IIHF World Championship. Despite Germany’s strong second period, where they managed to tie the game after being down 3-0, USA’s offensive power and a key third-period power-play goal from Conor Garland helped them hold their lead and seal the victory.

USA had become accustomed to squandering early leads, having given up a 5-1 advantage in their 6-5 overtime win over Norway earlier in the week, but this time they held on. Coach Ryan Warsofsky shared his thoughts on the team’s resolve: “It wasn’t perfect, but we battled through some tough moments. Germany pushed hard, but we stayed composed when it mattered” (IIHF, 2025).

First Period

The game started quickly, and just 1:12 into the first period, Moritz Seider of Germany was penalized for roughing, sending USA to the power play. At 1:42, Tage Thompson took advantage of the power play, scoring for USA to give them a 1-0 lead. The goal was assisted by Zach Werenski and Conor Garland.

GOAL (1:42): Tage Thompson (USA) – Power Play | Assisted by Zach Werenski, Conor Garland

At 1:42, Frank Nazar extended USA’s lead to 2-0 with a quick wrist shot from the faceoff circle, assisted by Cutter Gauthier.

GOAL (1:42): Frank Nazar (USA) – Even Strength | Assisted by Cutter Gauthier

At 9:43, Drew O’Connor fired a powerful shot off a rebound to extend USA’s lead to 3-0, with an assist from Tage Thompson. This was O’Connor’s first goal of the tournament, a key moment that added fuel to the American fire.

GOAL (9:43): Drew O’Connor (USA) – Even Strength | Assisted by Tage Thompson

First Period Stats
Shots on Goal: USA 10 | Germany 6
Saves: USA 8 | Germany 13
Penalty Minutes (PIM): USA 0 | Germany 2

Second Period

Germany came out strong in the second period, looking to recover from the first-period deficit. At 28:43, Eric Mik of Germany scored, cutting USA’s lead to 3-1. The goal was assisted by Joshua Samanski and Leon Huttl.

GOAL (28:43): Eric Mik (GER) – Even Strength | Assisted by Joshua Samanski, Leon Huttl

At 34:43, Jonas Muller made it 3-2 for Germany, assisted by Dominik Kahun and Wojciech Stachowiak.

At 35:15, USA was penalized for high-sticking with Matty Beniers in the box, giving Germany a power play.

PENALTY (35:15): Matty Beniers (USA) – High Sticking

Germany capitalized on the power play to tie the game with Wojciech Stachowiak assisting Sven Andrighetto for a goal at 38:11.

Second Period Stats
Shots on Goal: USA 13 | Germany 9
Saves: USA 8 | Germany 11
Penalty Minutes (PIM): USA 4 | Germany 4

Third Period

At 41:26, Philipp Grubauer was replaced by Mathias Niederberger after making his last save, appearing to be injured.

At 43:18, Patrick Hager of Germany was penalized for kneeing, sending USA to the power play.
Moments later, at 44:50, Conor Garland scored for USA to make it 4-3, with assists from Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley.

GOAL (44:50): Conor Garland (USA) – Even Strength | Assisted by Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley

At 47:29, Philipp Grubauer returned to goal for Germany, replacing Mathias Niederberger.

Later, USA argued that Germany should have been called for a delay of game penalty after one of their players batted the puck out of play, but no penalty was assessed. At 56:31, Logan Cooley scored for USA with a low shot on net beating Grubauer. The goal was assisted by Conor Garland and Clayton Keller, extending the lead to 5-3.

GOAL (56:31): Logan Cooley (USA) – Even Strength | Assisted by Conor Garland, Clayton Keller

At 57:05, Germany pulled their goalkeeper, sending Philipp Grubauer to the bench for the extra attacker.

The United States use it to their advantage. At 58:07, Clayton Keller sealed the win for USA with an empty-net goal to make it 6-3, assisted by Frank Nazar.

GOAL (58:07): Clayton Keller (USA) – Empty Net | Assisted by Frank Nazar

At 59:58, Frederik Tiffels of Germany was penalized for hooking, giving USA another power play opportunity just before the end of the game.

The Germans were heavily outshot in the final frame and simply could not recapture the momentum they had built in the second period, allowing USA to finish strong and secure the victory.

Third Period Stats
Shots on Goal: USA 18 | Germany 7
Saves: USA 7 | Germany 15
Penalty Minutes (PIM): USA 4 | Germany 4

Final Score – USA 6 | GER 3

Final Stats Summary

• Shots on Goal: USA 44 | Germany 21
• Saves: USA 18 | Germany 38
• Penalty Minutes (PIM): USA 4 | Germany 10

Players of the Game

Team USA fought off Germany’s late push and finished the game strong, securing the win. Despite some strong moments from Germany in the second period and third, USA’s dominant offensive play carried them through to the final whistle. Conor Garland commented, “It’s all about sticking with it, even when things get tough. We’re always looking to push through and finish strong” (IIHF, 2025).

Source

International Ice Hockey Federation. (2025, May 16). USA fends off Germany’s late push to secure 6-3 victory. IIHF. https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2025/wm/news/67704/usa-ger