Switzerland Open Tournament With 3-1 Win Over USA

Switzerland gave the home crowd at Swiss Life Arena exactly what they came for, opening their 2026 IIHF World Championship with a 3-1 win over the United States on Friday night. A sellout of 10,000 watched the hosts dictate the night from the first puck drop.

Pius Suter struck first at 2:03 of the opening period, finishing a feed from Sven Andrighetto and Janis Moser. Andrighetto doubled the lead at 11:19, taking passes from Denis Malgin and Suter to beat Joseph Woll high. Switzerland took a 2-0 lead to the first intermission and held it through a scoreless middle period.

The Americans finally cracked Leonardo Genoni at 8:45 of the third. Alex Steeves cleaned up a play in front from Ryan Lindgren and Will Borgen to make it 2-1 and give Don Granato's side a glimmer of hope. The Swiss answered with the dagger at 16:21: Ken Jager picked up his first World Championship goal from Simon Knak and Dean Kukan to restore the two-goal cushion.

Genoni made 19 saves on 20 shots for the win. Woll took the loss with 16 saves on 19 attempts. Switzerland's start joins Finland as the only two Group A teams sitting on three points after one game.

Switzerland are back at Swiss Life Arena on Saturday against Latvia at 20:20 CET. The United States have the day off before facing Finland on Monday.