The United States has never won back-to-back titles at the world junior hockey championship or returned to the final the year after winning.
The defending champion Americans (3-0-1-0) will try to take the first step toward changing that Thursday in Ottawa when they face Switzerland in the quarterfinal matchup. By beating Canada on New Year’s Eve, the Americans won Group A and will face a Swiss team that went 1-3 in the preliminary round and was outscored 15-10.
The game is win or go home. The four quarterfinal winners will be reseeded for Saturday’s semifinals. The medal games are Sunday.
Here’s what to know about the United States-Switzerland game and the quarterfinal schedule for the world junior hockey championship:
What time is USA vs. Switzerland world juniors quarterfinal?
The game will be played at 2:30 p.m. ET Thursday at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa.
How to watch USA vs. Switzerland world juniors quarterfinal?
The game will air on NHL Network in the United States and on TSN in Canada.
USA vs. Switzerland players to watch
United States: The USA’s top line features Boston College teammates Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals draft pick), Gabe Perreault (New York Rangers) and James Hagens, the front-runner for the top pick in the 2025 NHL draft. Boston University defenseman Cole Hutson (Capitals) is the USA’s top scorer with eight points. He’s the brother of Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson. University of Minnesota winger Brodie Ziemer (Buffalo Sabres) has a team-best three goals. Michigan State goalie Trey Augustine (Detroit Red Wings) had 38 saves in the win against Canada.
Switzerland: Forward Leo Braillard has three goals. Goalie Christian Kirsch is a San Jose Sharks 2024 draft pick. Defenseman Leon Muggli (three assists) was drafted in the second round by the Capitals.
USA vs. Switzerland team stats
Goals scored: United States 22, Switzerland 10
Goals against: United States 10, Switzerland 15
Power play: United States 27.8%, Switzerland 31.6%
Penalty kill: United States 81.3%, Switzerland 68.7%
Today’s world junior hockey schedule
All times p.m. ET
Germany vs. Kazakhstan (relegation game), 11 a.m.
No. 1 Sweden vs. No. 4 Latvia quarterfinal, noon, NHLN, TSN
No. 1 United States vs. No. 4 Switzerland quarterfinal, 2:30, NHLN, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5
No. 2 Finland vs. No. 3 Slovakia quarterfinal, 5, NHLN, TSN
No. 2 Czechia vs. No. 3 Canada quarterfinal, 7:30, NHLN, TSN
World juniors hockey scores
Dec. 26
Sweden 5, Slovakia 2
United States 10, Germany 4
Czechia 5, Switzerland 1
Canada 4, Finland 0
Dec. 27
Slovakia 2, Switzerland 1
Finland 3, Germany 1
Sweden 8, Kazakhstan 1
Latvia 3, Canada 2 (SO)
Dec. 28
Czechia 14, Kazakhstan 2
United States 5, Latvia 1
Dec. 29
Sweden 7, Switzerland 5
Finland 4, United States 3 (OT)
Czechia 4, Slovakia 2
Canada 3, Germany 0
Dec. 30
Slovakia 5, Kazakhstan 4 (OT)
Latvia 4, Germany 3 (OT)
Dec. 31
Switzerland 3, Kazakhstan 1
Finland 3, Latvia 0
Sweden 4, Czechia 2
United States 4, Canada 1
World juniors hockey playoff round
All times Eastern
Jan. 2 (quarterfinals)
Sweden vs. Latvia, noon, NHLN, TSN
United States vs. Switzerland, 2:30, NHLN, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5
Finland vs. Slovakia, 5, NHLN, TSN
Czechia vs. Canada, 7:30, NHLN, TSN
Jan. 4
Semifinal 1 3:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN
Semifinal 2 7:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN
Jan. 5
Third-place game, 3:30, NHLN, TSN
Championship game, 7:30, NHLN, TSN