OTTAWA, Ontario – The U.S. National Junior Team continues to make waves at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, playing their second preliminary round game today against Latvia at the Canadian Tire Centre. The puck drops at 3:30 p.m. ET, with fans able to catch the action live on NHL Network.
Team USA is brimming with excitement after their impressive 10-4 victory over Germany on December 26, where 13 players contributed to the scoreboard. The standout performance came from Cole Hutson, who dished out five assists, falling just one short of the single-game U.S. record held by Doug Weight. Not to be overshadowed, James Hagens – one of the most talked-about prospects for the upcoming NHL Draft – netted two goals and added two assists, and Gabe Perreault also shone with two goals and one assist. Impressively, Perreault has consistently been among the point scorers throughout all three contests, including two pre-tournament games.
The U.S. faces a Latvian squad today who stunned the hockey world with their recent 3-2 shootout victory over host Canada last night. This unexpected result sent shockwaves throughout the tournament, with Latvia having previously struggled famously at the World Juniors. Before their recent win, Latvia held a dismal 0-27 record in round-robin play until breaking through with their win against Czechia last year. Notably, this marks their first victory against Canada, showcasing their remarkable progress. Linards Feldbergs was instrumental for Latvia, turning aside 55 of 57 shots and excelling during the shootout.
The last encounter between the U.S. and Latvia occurred during the quarterfinals of the last tournament, with Team USA claiming victory with ease, defeating Latvia 7-2 thanks to Perreault’s outstanding two-goal contribution.
Following today’s game, the U.S. is scheduled to meet Finland tomorrow, December 29, at 2:30 p.m. ET, also broadcast live on NHL Network. This back-to-back matchup presents another challenge and opportunity for growth for the U.S. squad.
Looking at the U.S. roster, they have displayed extraordinary talent at each position, making this one of the strongest teams competing this year. The roster highlights include forwards such as Austin Burnevik, Trevor Connelly, Cole Eiserman, Ryan Leonard, and Joey Willis. Notably, James Hagens has become one of the top prospects as the draft nears.
The depth of the U.S. forwards is impressive, with returning players contributing significantly. Cole Eiserman from the New York Islanders and Nashville Predators prospect Teddy Stiga are set to continue their stellar World Junior performances, building off their success from last year’s Under-18 tournament.
Defensively, the U.S. lineup includes strong players like Zeev Buium, who is enjoying his second U20 WJC, and Cole Hutson, who is turning heads with his offensive abilities as well.
At the goaltender position, Trey Augustine stands out, being hailed as potentially the best goaltender at the tournament. He is returning alongside Sam Hillebrandt after securing victories previously, including last year’s gold medal game against Sweden.
After clinching gold at last year’s championship, the U.S. has high hopes to defend their title, buoyed by their strong roster filled with prospects likely to make waves both during the tournament and as they enter the professional ranks.
Meanwhile, the Latvian team is riding high off their monumental win against Canada and will aim to continue their success against the U.S. today. Judging by their recent performance, Latvia could very well pull off another unexpected upset. Could this be the turning point for Latvian hockey?
With every game presenting new opportunities, fans are eagerly anticipating the outcomes of these pivotal matchups. Who knows what surprises the tournament still holds?
