The penultimate day of the preliminary round at the 2026 IIHF World Championship is in the books and there was plenty of drama & excitement surrounding the four games that took place on Day 11 in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland.
In the first game of the day in Group A, the United States looked to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive as they took on Hungary, while over in Group B, Norway got a huge addition to their roster with 2024 first round pick Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, who they hope will take them one step closer to their first playoff round appearance in 14 years.
The final two games of Day 11 saw Great Britain finish out their preliminary round schedule against a motivated German side that has playoff aspirations after a slow start to the tournament. In Group B, it was arguably the biggest game of the tournament thus far as Italy and Slovenia faced off with relegation to Division 1A on the line.
United States (7) vs Hungary (3) F
Coming into action on Day 11, the United States knew that they had to pick up a win over Hungary if they wanted to have any chance of returning to playoff round. Meanwhile for the Hungarians, it was a huge game as a loss in any fashion would see their playoff hopes come to an end.
Nearly halfway through the first period, the United States opened the scoring, with captain Justin Faulk picking up his first of the tournament to make it 1-0. Later on in the opening frame, Matthew Tkachuk doubled the United States’ lead with his second of the World Championship, putting his nation up 2-0 through 20 minutes.
After outshooting Hungary in the first period 21-4, the United States didn’t slow down in the middle frame. A little over two minutes into the period, Ryan Leonard made it 3-0 USA, before Justin Faulk added his second of the game nearly five minutes later. Hungary would answer back as their captain, Csanad Erdely cut the United States’ lead to three just over halfway through the second period. With under two minutes to play, Ryan Leonard restored his nation’s four-goal lead as they headed to the locker room up 5-1.
In the third period, the Hungarians cut into the United States’ lead once again as Csanad Erdely and Gabor Tornyai made it 5-3, but the American offense was too much to handle on this day. Matthew Tkachuk added an empty netter with under four minutes to play, then Max Plante, a 2024 draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings sealed it for the United States as they picked up a big 7-3 win.
Scoring Summary:
United States
- Justin Faulk (1). Assist: Tommy Novak.
- Matthew Tkachuk (2). Assists: Tommy Novak, Matt Coronato.
- Ryan Leonard (2). Assist: Tommy Novak.
- Justin Faulk (2). Assists: Matthew Tkachuk, Tommy Novak.
- Ryan Leonard (3). Assists: Justin Faulk, Matthew Tkachuk.
- Matthew Tkachuk (2). Assist: James Hagens.
- Max Plante (1). Assists: Ryan Leonard, Tommy Novak.
Hungary
- Csanad Erdely (1). Assists: Istvan Terbocs, Balazs Sebok.
- Csanad Erdely (2). Assists: Milan Horvath, Janos Hari.
- Gabor Tornyai (1). Assists: Istvan Terbocs, Balazs Sebok.
Czechia (1) vs Norway (4) F
It’s safe to say that Norway has been one of the best stories of the 2026 IIHF World Championship so far. They came into Day 11 with a 3-0-1-1 record, defeated Sweden in regulation and took Canada to overtime. Standing in their way of reaching the quarterfinals for the first time since 2012 was Czechia and the Norwegians got a big boost to their roster, as mentioned earlier on, with Michael Brandsegg-Nygard.
Three minutes into the first period, Norway took the game’s first lead as Havard Ostrem Salsten found the back of the net, making it 1-0. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard didn’t waste any time in making an impact for his nation as four minutes after Ostrem Salsten’s opening goal, the Detroit Red Wings prospect extended Norway’s lead to 2-0. Czechia would get one back later in the opening frame courtesy of New York Rangers prospect Jaroslav Chmelar.
After a scoreless second period, where Norway outshot the Czechs 9-7, Martin Ronnild restored his nation’s two-goal lead, making it 3-1 less than ten minutes into the final frame. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard doubled down late in the game, tipping home Kristian Ostby’s shot to give Norway a 4-1 lead. Norwegian netminder Henrik Haukeland wasn’t too busy in this one, but stopped 17 of 18 shots he faced as he continues to stake his claim for the “Goaltender of the Tournament” award.
With the win, Norway confirmed their spot in the quarterfinals, while Czechia losing in regulation means Canada has officially clinched top spot in Group B. Norway, who sit in second spot in Group B following today’s win, can finish as high as second or as low as fourth, depending on their game tomorrow against Denmark, along with other results elsewhere.
Scoring Summary:
Czechia
- Jaroslav Chmelar (1).
Norway
- Havard Ostrem Salsten (1).
- Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (1). Assist: Petter Vesterheim.
- Martin Ronnild (1). Assists: Eirik Salsten, Emilio Pettersen.
- Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (2). Assists: Kristian Ostby, Tinus Luc Koblar.
Germany (6) vs Great Britain (3) F
Germany’s poor start to the 2026 IIHF World Championship hindered their chances to make the quarterfinals, but they had one last opportunity in the preliminary round against Great Britain, who has already been relegated back to Division 1A for next year. With a win in regulation, Germany would move into a playoff spot, for now, but don’t control their own destiny.
Great Britain netminder Ben Bowns, who is playing the final game of his international career today, kept his nation in this game for as long as possible. With under seven minutes to play in the opening frame Alexander Karachun scored his first goal of the tournament to make it 1-0 Germany. The Germans added to their lead late in the period as Frederik Tiffels and Fabio Wagner scored 16 seconds apart, putting their group up 3-0 after 20 minutes.
Early in the second period, Germany extended their lead as Andreas Eder picked up his first goal of the 2026 IIHF World Championship, making it 4-0. Great Britain would finally get on the board in the middle frame as Robert Dowd, who is also retiring from the national after today’s game, scored his fifth career goal at the top division of the IIHF World Championship, cutting Germany’s lead to three.
17 seconds into the third period, Edmonton Oilers forward Josh Samanski added another to Germany’s tally on the day with his seventh point of tournament, restoring their four-goal lead, 5-1. It’s been a solid tournament thus far for former Winnipeg Jets prospect Leon Gawanke as he came into today’s game with three goals and five points in six games. Nine minutes into the final frame, Gawanke put Germany up 6-1.
Nearly two minutes after Gawanke’s goal, Great Britain found the back of the net for the second time in the game. Bradley Jenion banked the puck up the board to Ollie Betteridge, who wrapped it around the net and beat Philipp Grubauer to the post, cutting Germany’s lead to four. A tad over three minutes later, the British struck again, this time thanks to Robert Lachowicz, who beat a screened Philipp Grubauer to make it 6-3. Germany would hold on in the final five minutes to pick up an important three points and for now, jump into a playoff spot in Group A.
Scoring Summary:
Germany
- Alexander Karachun (1). Assist: Moritz Seider.
- Frederik Tiffels (3).
- Fabio Wagner (1). Assists: Mortiz Seider, Alexander Karachun.
- Andreas Eder (1). Assists: Stefan Loibl, Leon Gawanke.
- Josh Samanski (2). Assists: Lukas Reichel, Frederik Tiffels.
- Leon Gawanke (4). Assists: Leon Huttl, Nicolas Krammer.
Great Britain
- Robert Dowd (1). Assists: Cade Neilson, Nathanael Halbert.
- Ollie Betteridge (1). Assist: Bradley Jenion.
- Robert Lachowicz (1). Assists: Logan Neilson, Johnny Curran.
Slovenia (5) vs Italy (1) F
The biggest game of Day 11 and quite possibly the tournament thus far. Slovenia, who comes into today’s game with an upset win over Czechia under their belt, against Italy, who picked up an important point in Sunday’s shootout loss to Denmark. An Italian regulation win would see them remain in the top division for another year, while any other result would mean Slovenia stays in the top division for a third straight year.
Slovenia and Italy traded chances in the opening period, but neither could find the back of the net as Damian Clara and Lukas Horak both turned aside ten shots each in that frame. In the second period, the Italians got the scoring started as Phil Pietroniro’s first of the tournament gave his nation the all important first lead of the night.
Six minutes after Pietroniro opened the scoring, Slovenia answered back, with Matic Torok putting home his second of the World Championship, tying the game up at one goal a piece. Less than two minutes later, while on the power play, the Slovenians struck again. Former Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Jan Drozg jumped on the loose puck and put it into the yawning cage to give Slovenia their first lead of the game, 2-1. With just six seconds left in the period, Jan Drozg found the back of the net for the second time on the power play in this game, making it 3-1 Slovenia after two.
Italy faced a tough test in the third period, but continued to search for their second of the night, outshooting Slovenia 4-0 in the first seven minutes of the period. On their first shot of the final frame, Marcel Mahovec picked up his fourth point of the game, extending Slovenia’s lead to 4-1. Slovenia would add another power play marker just over the halfway mark of the third period thanks to Zan Jezovsek, putting his nation ahead 5-1. Thanks to their solid effort in the second half of this game, Slovenia was able to down Italy and will remain in the top division of the IIHF World Championship for another year.
Scoring Summary:
Slovenia
- Matic Torok (2). Assist: Marcel Mahkovec.
- Jan Drozg (2). Assists: Marcel Mahkovec, Robert Sabolic.
- Jan Drozg (2). Assists: Marcel Mahkovec, Blaz Gregorc.
- Marcel Mahkovec (2). Assists: Matic Torok, Robert Sabolic.
- Zan Jezovsek (1). Assists: Ken Ograjensek, Rok Ticar.
Italy
- Phil Pietroniro (1). Assists: Tommy Purdeller, Daniel Mantenuto.
Standings
- X – qualified for playoff spot.
- E – eliminated from playoff contention.
- R – relegated.
Group A
| Nation | GP | W | OT/SOW | OT/SOL | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland - X | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 7 | +32 | 21 |
| Finland - X | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 31 | 11 | +20 | 18 |
| Latvia - X | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 24 | 17 | +7 | 12 |
| United States - X | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 25 | 21 | +4 | 11 |
| Germany - E | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 23 | 22 | +1 | 10 |
| Austria - E | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 17 | 29 | -12 | 9 |
| Hungary - E | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 14 | 38 | -24 | 3 |
| Great Britain - R | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 35 | -28 | 0 |
Group B
| Nation | GP | W | OT/SOW | OT/SOL | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada - X | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 13 | +20 | 20 |
| Norway - X | 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 14 | +11 | 15 |
| Czechia - X | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 19 | 17 | +2 | 13 |
| Sweden - X | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 27 | 16 | +11 | 12 |
| Slovakia - E | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 21 | 19 | +2 | 11 |
| Denmark - E | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 15 | 26 | -11 | 6 |
| Slovenia - E | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 25 | -12 | 6 |
| Italy - R | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 28 | -23 | 1 |
My 3 Stars of Day 11
- Tommy Novak (United States) – 5 assists vs Hungary.
- Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (Norway) – 2 goals vs Czechia.
- Marcel Mahovec (Slovenia) – 1 goal, 3 assists vs Italy.
Day 12 Schedule (Tuesday, May 26th)
- Hungary vs Latvia (6:20 am ET)
- Norway vs Denmark (6:20 am ET)
- United States vs Austria (10:20 am ET)
- Sweden vs Slovakia (10:20 am ET)
- Switzerland vs Finland (2:20 pm ET)
- Czechia vs Canada (2:20 pm ET)
(Image Source: Hockeysverige)