3 ‘Star’ keys to success for USA against Switzerland at WJC

The NHL Network will broadcast all games of the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa. That includes extensive coverage of the U.S. Junior National Team (3-0-1-0), which will play Switzerland (1-0-0-3) in the quarterfinals at the Canadian Tire Center on Thursday (2:30 p.m. ET) . Switzerland finished fourth in Group B after a 3-1 win against Kazakhstan on Tuesday.

NHL Network’s EJ Hradek will handle the play-by-play with former NHL forward Tony Granato providing color commentary. Mike Kelly and Jon Morosi will also be part of the coverage, and longtime NCAA hockey analyst Dave Starman will provide in-studio analysis and will provide his three keys to victory for the USA before each of their games during the 11-day tournament.

“The USA-Canada matchup at the World Juniors is often unpredictable,” Starman said. “They’re still kids, emotions run high, and when the game is in Canada, the Canadians tend to play a little bit more on the edge for the home crowd. Often that gets them into trouble.

“(U.S. goaltender) Trey Augustine and the power play were the difference (in a 4-1 win against Canada on Tuesday). The U.S. had 18 scoring chances (per Sportlogiq) and 11 came on the power play along with its three goals (not counting empty nets -goals).In the ‘3 things’ on December 26th, two key goaltending and powerplay penalties can stop a powerplay in the third period at the World Juniors.

Here are Starman’s 3 keys to victory for the USA against Switzerland:

1. Don’t underestimate

“Back in 2017 in Toronto, the USA and Switzerland played what might have been the dullest and least interesting playoff game in World Juniors history. The USA won the game, but they almost played not to lose. Much like the NCAA regional semifinal game for the heavily favored top seed , there is no harder game to win than a game like this, in a knockout situation where you are supposed to win handily.after an emotional win against Canada, it is a quick turnaround where you have to quickly screw up a team that you have nothing to do with or that isn’t even an international rival If they let the Swiss hang around, you’re letting them find a way to win a game they realistically don’t have any chance of winning.

2. Fast and Furious

“Let’s be honest, 5-on-5, the U.S. was pretty average against Canada. I still think it needs to defend the ice with a good forecheck and be able to generate second- and third-chance threats to the net. The American speed is by far the best asset they have, and they are the fastest team in Ottawa.Recovering loose pucks in the offensive zone, turning them into more possessions, creating some havoc.and forcing fouls from it defending team is the key to advance.”

3. To be connected

“Although they didn’t generate as much as they wanted against Canada, the speed I was referring to is one of the things that forced Canada to take some of the penalties they took early. Where I thought Canada was good, was their use of late men in attacks and being connected offensively The US defense can be very dangerous this way, so connection and speed from the defensive zone to the net, off the rush, is a tactic that I am not sure about , can be neutralized consistently is on his game.”