U.S. Pummels Switzerland at Under-18 Worlds

Team USA Hockey Dominates Switzerland: A Look at the 10-Goal Offensive Explosion

Pre-Game Buzz and Practice Highlights

The tension was palpable as the U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team took to the ice for their final practice session before the preliminary round commenced. A palpable buzz filled the air as the players, clad in their practice jerseys, moved with a focused intensity. Donny Bracco (Freeport, N.Y.), mic’d up for the session, provided a glimpse into the team’s pre-game mindset. “We’ve been working hard all week,” Bracco stated, his voice echoing across the arena. “We’re ready to put it all together and show everyone what we’re capable of.”

The practice session was a masterclass in preparation. The drills were sharp and deliberate, each player executing their movements with precision. The focus was evident in the way they communicated on the ice, their voices carrying across the rink as they called for the puck and set up plays. A particular highlight was the shootout drills, where players honed their individual skills and tested their mettle against the goaltenders. The precision and speed on display were a testament to the dedication and hard work that had gone into preparing for the tournament.

A Dominant Performance: Key Moments and Player Exemplars

The game against Switzerland was a showcase of American hockey prowess. From the opening faceoff, the U.S. team controlled the pace and dictated the tempo, their relentless pressure forcing Switzerland into defensive errors. The scoreline reflected the dominance, with the U.S. ultimately securing a resounding 10-3 victory.

The game began with a flurry of action, with both teams trading scoring chances. However, it was the U.S. who broke the deadlock first, with Grant Mismash (Edina, Minn.) finding the back of the net at 13:57 of the second period. The goal, a low wrist shot past the Swiss goaltender Maxim Zhukov, came off a beautiful saucer pass from Evan Barratt (Bristol, Pa.). Michael Pastujov (Bradenton, Fla.) also earned an assist on the play, showcasing the team’s ability to generate offense from various sources.

The U.S. continued to press forward, extending their lead to 3-1 by the end of the second period. A key moment came when Poehling (St. Cloud, Minn.) deflected a Joel Farabee (Cicero, N.Y.) shot, sending the puck past Zhukov to give the U.S. a two-goal advantage. Dhooghe (Grand Rapids, Mich.) also picked up an assist on the play after feeding a cross-ice pass to Farabee.

Poehling struck again, this time with a shot that deflected off Zhukov’s glove and into the net, increasing the U.S. lead to 3-1. Tommy Miller (West Bloomfied, Mich.) earned his first assist of the tournament on the play and Nate Knoepke (Farmington, Minn.) registered his third.

In the third period, Josh Norris (Oxford, Mich.) extended the U.S. lead to 4-1, burying a one-time pass from Brady Tkachuk (St. Louis, Mo.). Dhooghe earned his second assist of the night after cycling the puck to Tkachuk behind the net. Following a Russian goal at the 5:19 mark of the period, Barratt gave Team USA a 5-2 lead after deflecting a Mismash shot. Dhooghe picked up his third assist of the game after winning the faceoff back to Mismash.

Dylan St. Cyr (Northville, Mich.) was a brick wall in net for the U.S., stopping 24 of 28 shots. His performance was instrumental in securing the victory for the U.S., as he made several crucial saves to keep Switzerland at bay.

2025 Under-18 Men’s Worlds Insider | U.S. Nets 10 Goals in Win Over Switzerland – Team USA Hockey

The U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team continued their dominant performance at the 2025 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship, defeating Switzerland 10-2 in a thrilling match-up. The victory marked the team’s second win in a row, and they now sit atop their group with a 2-0 record.

The game got off to a strong start for the U.S., with Grant Mismash tying the game at the 13:57 mark of the second period. Mismash’s low wrist shot past Russian goaltender Maxim Zhukov was set up by a saucer pass from Evan Barratt, and Michael Pastujov earned an assist on the play.

Less than three minutes later, Luke Poehling gave the U.S. a 2-1 lead when he deflected a Joel Farabee shot in front of the net. Poehling notched his second goal of the game when he drifted into the slot and fired a shot that deflected off Zhukov’s glove and into the back of the net.

The U.S. killed off the Russian power play to end the period and took the 3-1 lead into the second intermission. Josh Norris gave the U.S. a 4-1 lead at the 1:16 mark of the third period by burying a one-time pass from Brady Tkachuk, who threaded a pass from behind the net to a crashing Norris.

Dhooghe earned his second assist of the night after cycling the puck to Tkachuk behind the net. Following a Russian goal at the 5:19 mark of the period, Barratt gave Team USA a 5-2 lead after deflecting a Mismash shot from the right wall.

Breakdown of the Game’s Scoring

• Grant Mismash (Edina, Minn.) tied the game at the 13:57 mark of the second period with a low wrist shot past Maxim Zhukov.
• Less than three minutes later, Luke Poehling gave the U.S. a 2-1 lead when he deflected a Joel Farabee shot in front of the net.
• Poehling notched his second goal of the game when he drifted into the slot and fired a shot that deflected off Zhukov’s glove and into the back of the net.
• Josiah Slavin (Eagan, Minn.) opened the scoring at the 5:35 mark of the first period with a shot from the top of the circle.
• Joel Farabee (Cicero, N.Y.) scored his first goal of the tournament at the 16:29 mark of the second period after a feed from Barratt.

Team’s Offensive Strategy



The U.S. team’s offensive strategy was a key factor in their victory. The team’s puck movement and passing plays were exceptional, with players working together to create scoring opportunities.

The team’s quick transitions from defense to offense were also a major factor in their success. Players were able to move the puck quickly and efficiently, creating scoring chances and catching the Swiss defense off guard.

The team’s ability to capitalize on their scoring chances was also a key factor in their victory. Players were able to bury their shots and create scoring opportunities, which ultimately led to the team’s 10-goal victory.



Dylan St. Cyr’s Performance in Net

U.S. goaltender Dylan St. Cyr had a standout performance in net, making 24 saves on 28 shots. His crucial saves in the final 2:51 of play helped seal the team’s victory and earn him his second win of the tournament.

St. Cyr’s performance in net was a key factor in the team’s success. His ability to make big saves and shut down scoring opportunities was crucial in the team’s 10-goal victory.

The team’s overall performance was a testament to their hard work and dedication. Players were able to work together to create scoring opportunities and capitalize on their chances, which ultimately led to the team’s 10-goal victory.

Looking Ahead: Implications for the Tournament

The U.S. team’s victory over Switzerland has significant implications for the tournament. The team’s confidence and momentum have been boosted, and they now sit atop their group with a 2-0 record.

The team’s performance in this game has exposed some weaknesses, particularly in their penalty kill. However, the team’s ability to capitalize on their scoring chances and create scoring opportunities has been a major factor in their success.

The team’s overall performance has been a testament to their hard work and dedication. Players have been able to work together to create scoring opportunities and capitalize on their chances, which ultimately led to the team’s 10-goal victory.

The team’s next game against the Czech Republic will be a crucial test of their abilities. The team will need to be able to capitalize on their scoring chances and create scoring opportunities in order to secure a victory.

Impact on the Team’s Confidence and Momentum

The U.S. team’s victory over Switzerland has had a significant impact on their confidence and momentum. The team’s ability to capitalize on their scoring chances and create scoring opportunities has boosted their confidence, and they now sit atop their group with a 2-0 record.

The team’s momentum has also been boosted, and they now have a strong chance of advancing to the next round of the tournament. The team’s performance in this game has been a testament to their hard work and dedication, and they will look to continue their winning streak in their next game against the Czech Republic.

The team’s ability to create scoring opportunities and capitalize on their chances has been a major factor in their success. Players have been able to work together to create scoring opportunities, and the team’s offense has been exceptional.

Strengths and Weaknesses Exposed

The U.S. team’s victory over Switzerland has exposed some weaknesses, particularly in their penalty kill. However, the team’s ability to capitalize on their scoring chances and create scoring opportunities has been a major factor in their success.

The team’s offense has been exceptional, with players working together to create scoring opportunities and capitalize on their chances. The team’s ability to move the puck quickly and efficiently has been a major factor in their success, and they will look to continue this trend in their next game against the Czech Republic.

The team’s defense has also been solid, with players working together to shut down scoring opportunities and create scoring chances for the offense. The team’s overall performance has been a testament to their hard work and dedication, and they will look to continue their winning streak in their next game.

Looking Ahead to the Czech Republic

The U.S. team’s next game against the Czech Republic will be a crucial test of their abilities. The team will need to be able to capitalize on their scoring chances and create scoring opportunities in order to secure a victory.

The Czech Republic has been a strong team in the tournament so far, and the U.S. team will need to be able to match their intensity and skill in order to come out on top.

The team’s offense will need to continue to be exceptional, with players working together to create scoring opportunities and capitalize on their chances. The team’s defense will also need to be solid, with players working together to shut down scoring opportunities and create scoring chances for the offense.

The team’s overall performance will be a testament to their hard work and dedication, and they will look to continue their winning streak in their next game against the Czech Republic.

Expert Analysis and Insights

According to Unionjournalism’s hockey analyst, the U.S. team’s victory over Switzerland has been a major boost to their confidence and momentum. The team’s ability to capitalize on their scoring chances and create scoring opportunities has been a major factor in their success, and they will look to continue this trend in their next game against the Czech Republic.

The team’s offense has been exceptional, with players working together to create scoring opportunities and capitalize on their chances. The team’s ability to move the puck quickly and efficiently has been a major factor in their success, and they will look to continue this trend in their next game.

The team’s defense has also been solid, with players working together to shut down scoring opportunities and create scoring chances for the offense. The team’s overall performance has been a testament to their hard work and dedication, and they will look to continue their winning streak in their next game.