Gold Medal Game Re-Match: USA-Switzerland at 2:20 p.m. ET ZURICH, Switzerland – The U.S. Men’s National Team will face Switzerland in a rematch of last year’s gold-medal game as the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship opens with a showdown at 2:20 p.m. ET on NHL Network. The matchup, set against the host nation, marks the 29th meeting between the two teams in the men’s world championships, with the U.S. holding a 17-1-1-8-1 (wins, overtime wins, overtime losses, losses, ties) record. The Americans have won four of the last five encounters in the series, including a 1-0 overtime victory in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2025, where Tage Thompson scored the decisive goal. Head coach Don Granato expressed enthusiasm for the challenge, stating, “We’re excited to get going and know we’re facing an excellent Swiss team. It’s been fun to see how our group has come together in a short period of time and we look forward to the challenge ahead.” The U.S. squad, which includes 12 first or second-round NHL Draft picks, boasts over 5,000 combined NHL games of experience and seven players with prior World Championship appearances. Notable veterans like Mason Lohrei and Isaac Howard, both part of the 2025 gold medal-winning team, add depth to the roster. The team’s preparation included a single pre-tournament game against Germany, which ended in a 5-2 victory. The U.S. utilized five different goal scorers in the win, showcasing versatility. Justin Faulk, the team’s captain, leads the squad in his fourth World Championship appearance, having earned two bronze medals in the event. Faulk, also a member of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team, is joined by alternate captains Ryan Lindgren and Mathieu Olivier. Goalie depth is another strength, with three netminders on the roster.#tage_thompson #switzerland #don_granato #usa_men_s_national_team #iihf_men_s_world_championship
