Overview
- The United States secured a 4-1 victory over Austria on Tuesday, May 26, with goals from Connor Clifton, Ryan Ufko, Paul Cotter and Matthew Tkachuk and 25 saves from goalie Devin Cooley.
- That regulation win lifted the U.S. into fourth place in Group A and set a quarterfinal meeting with Group B winner Canada on Thursday, May 28.
- Quarterfinal pairings are Canada vs. United States, Switzerland vs. Sweden, Finland vs. Czechia, and Norway vs. Latvia following the final preliminary results.
- Latvia routed Hungary 8-1 to clinch a knockout spot and Rudolfs Balcers scored his seventh tournament goal, a single-tournament record for a Latvian player, while Norway beat Denmark 4-3 in overtime on a 13-second OT goal by Michael Brandsegg-Nygard.
- The U.S. entered the tournament as defending world champions and gained momentum after Matthew Tkachuk joined mid-tournament, illustrating how staggered NHL arrivals and individual performances reshaped the final bracket.