Ryan Leonard Seals 4-3 Shootout Win for U.S. — Iihf Scores

Ryan Leonard ended it for the United States, and iihf scores in Zurich now show a 4-3 shootout win over Germany on Wednesday. The defending champions moved to five points in Group A after recovering from Monday’s 6-2 loss to Finland.

Leonard scored the decisive penalty after Tommy Novak forced the extra phase with 5:47 left in regulation. Devin Cooley then allowed one goal in the shootout, closing a game the Americans trailed three times before pulling it back.

Novak Pulls United States Level

Novak’s tying goal came after Philipp Grubauer could not hold onto the puck, a loose play that opened the door for the United States at 3-3. Isaac Howard and Max Sasson also scored for the Americans, who needed every one of those goals to escape with the extra point.

Germany had built the pressure early. Moritz Seider scored one minute into the game, Frederik Tiffels tied it in the second period, and Marc Michaelis put Germany back in front less than three minutes later.

Germany Presses Early

Matthew Tkachuk also played his first career game at the worlds in Zurich on Tuesday and failed to convert his penalty shot in this event. The United States still had enough scoring depth to recover, but the margin stayed razor thin from start to finish.

The result gives the Americans two wins from four games and leaves them with five points in Group A in Zurich. Germany walked away without the shootout break it had built twice during regulation, while the United States left with a win it badly needed after the Finland loss.

Group A Tightens in Zurich

Switzerland’s 9-0 rout of Austria pushed it to 12 points and a fourth straight win, while Czechia moved to 10 points after a 3-1 victory over Italy in Fribourg. The U.S. result kept the Americans in the chase rather than the chase chasing them, and Leonard’s shot now sits at the center of that recovery.