USA Beats Hungary 7-3, Keeps Quarterfinal Bid Alive at 2026 World Championship

On Monday in Zurich, the United States beat Hungary 7-3 in the final Group A match of the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship. The victory followed a 4-2 loss to Latvia and preserved the United States’ chance to finish in the top four of the group and move on to the quarterfinals.

U.S. Faces Hungary in Men’s Worlds at 10:20 a.m. ET Today

The United States entered the game with a 2-3 record; Hungary was 1-4 after defeats to Finland, Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The top four teams in Group A advance. Sources differ on the United States’ standing, listing it as fifth in one report and sixth in another.

U.S. Faces Hungary in Men’s Worlds at 10:20 a.m. ET Today

Ryan Leonard posted two goals and an assist, tying the team lead at three goals with Matthew Tkachuk and Isaac Howard. Leonard’s line with Tommy Novak and Max Plante produced nine points. Tkachuk added two goals and two assists; captain Justin Faulk recorded two goals and one assist and was named U.S. Player of the Game. Goaltender Joseph Woll stopped 14 shots; Max Plante scored the final U.S. goal. Novak supplied five assists, the most on the U.S. side.

Ryan Leonard scores power-play goal from Ovi’s office, records three points in Team USA’s blowout 7-3 victory over Hungary

The United States outshot Hungary 46-17 and finished 3-5 on the power play. Leonard’s first goal arrived at 2:09 of the second period after Novak won a faceoff; his second came with 1:47 left in the period on a power-play feed from Faulk. Tkachuk’s power-play goal was logged at 18:22, and he added an empty-net tally at 16:45. Faulk’s low slap-shot opened scoring at 1:00 of the first period, and his second goal came at 7:52. Hungary’s goals were scored by Csanad Erdely (two) and Gabor Tornyai (one).

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Team USA announced that a win over Austria would secure a quarterfinal berth and highlighted Faulk’s performance as player of the game.

U.S. Defeats Hungary, 7-3, at Men’s Worlds

• “will ensure itself a spot in Thursday’s quarterfinal round of the tournament.” — Team USA official statement

U.S. Defeats Hungary, 7-3, at Men’s Worlds

A victory over Austria is required for the United States to secure a top-four finish and extend its streak of quarterfinal appearances each year since 2011. The win against Hungary restores momentum after the recent loss to Latvia and improves the United States’ goal differential.

U.S. Faces Hungary in Men’s Worlds at 10:20 a.m. ET Today

The United States’ group position is reported as fifth in one source and sixth in another, indicating uncertainty in the current standings. No quotations from coaches or officials appear in the source material.

U.S. Faces Hungary in Men’s Worlds at 10:20 a.m. ET Today

The United States faces Austria on May 26 at 4:20 p.m. (10:20 a.m. ET) in Zurich. A win guarantees a quarterfinal berth; a loss could jeopardize advancement.

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