The Americans defeated the Germans 5-1 on Sunday, Feb. 15, to finish atop Group C. That means the USA gains a bye to the quarterfinals and avoids the qualifying round.
There was no adversity in Sunday’s game after two disallowed goals against Latvia and a 2-1 first-period deficit against Denmark. Germany didn’t score until past the midway point of the third period after the USA had built a 5-0 lead.
The USA finished with a 3-0 record and the second overall seed. Auston Matthews had a pair of goals from around the crease also set up Zach Werenski for the game’s opening goal with 8.7 seconds left in the first period.
‘We just wanted to win so we could win the group,’ Matthew Tkachuk said. ‘That was the only – we never talked once about top seed at all. None of that seeding stuff. All that handles itself.’
Canada finished first overall, and Slovakia and Finland also earned byes. The four countries will play on Wednesday against the winners of Tuesday’s qualifying games. The USA will play the winner of the Sweden vs. Latvia qualifying game.
USA TODAY provided live updates from Sunday’s USA-Germany game. Here are the highlights:
Watch Winter Olympics on Peacock
Qualifying round, quarterfinals set
The qualifying round is on Tuesday, Feb. 17 and the quarterfinals are on Wednesday. Here are the matchups:
6:10: Germany vs. France. Winner plays Slovakia.
6:10: Switzerland vs. Italy. Winner plays Finland.
10:40: Czechia vs. Denmark. Winner plays Canada.
3:10: Sweden vs Latvia. Winner plays USA.
Final score: USA 5, Germany 1
The American earn a bye to the quarterfinals.
Germany power play
Matthew Tkachuk is called for unsportsmanlike conduct. USA kills penalty. USA chants start.
Less than 5 minutes left
5-1 USA.
Germany goal: Tim Stutzle gets Germany on board
Nice shot by Tim Stutzle high into the net as Germany breaks through at 11:22 of the third period. USA 5, Germany 1
USA goal: Auston Matthews scores
The USA captain is having a big game. He’s standing in the crease and Jake Sanderson finds him for a easy tip-in. Matthews’ first goal was scored from around the same area. USA 5, Germany 0
USA goal: Tage Thompson scores
Tage Thompson can do it all: skate, stickhandle and shoot hard. He did the last one with a booming one-timer from near the blue line. USA 4, Germany 0
Third period underway
3-0 USA, which is 20 minutes from the Group C title and a bye to the quarterfinals.
End of second period: USA 3, Germany 0
Auston Matthews made it 2-0 early in the second period, taking a pass from Matthew Tkachuk just outside the crease. USA moved ahead 3-0 with 2:25 to play in the period when Brock Faber fired a shot on net from along the boards. Jack Eichel had a stick ready by the crease for a potential rebound, but it wasn’t needed: Faber’s shot went in, with assists going to Matthew and Brady Tkachuk.
USA goal: Brock Faber scores
Brock Faber takes a shot from the point that goalie Maximilian Franzreb can’t glove and it goes into the net at 17:35. The Tkachuk brothers each get an assist. USA 3, Germany 0
Less than 5 minutes left in second
USA leads 2-0 and has a 26-15 edge in shots.
Germany power play
Zach Werenski is called for slashing. Germany can throw out Leon Draisaitl and Tim Stutzle on the power play but didn’t do much on its first opportunity. This time, Germany was more dangerous but Connor Hellebuyck kept the puck out.
USA goal: Auston Matthews scores on power play
Quinn Hughes rips a shot and Matthew Tkachuk gets the puck to Auston Matthews, who scores at 3:25. USA 2, Germany 0
USA power play
Kai Wissmann is called for interference.
Germany power play
Jack Eichel is called for hooking. USA gets shorthanded chances by Brock Nelson and Dylan Larkin. Eichel also gets a chance coming out of the penalty box as the USA kills it off.
Second period underway
1-0 USA.
Denmark beats Latvia: What that means
Latvia’s loss prevents the possibility of a three-way tie atop Group C. That means Germany would clinch Group C if it beats the USA in regulation. The USA will win Group C if it wins Sunday’s game or gets an overtime or shootout loss.
End of first period: USA 1, Germany 0
The Germans, much like the Danes the night before, stuck to a simple game plan against the Americans, focusing on keeping the puck out of the of zone and letting goaltender Maximilian Franzgreb saw the puck. USA was unable to generate much momentum off a power play. The Germans got engaged physically, with Moritz Muller dishing it out to Matthew Tkachuk late in the period.
USA scored with 8.7 seconds left in the period with Zach Werenski firing a shot from the right circle, picking a corner of the net off a pass from Auston Matthews.
USA goal: Zach Werenski gives USA lead
Zach Werenski scores with 8.7 seconds left in the period from the right faceoff circle after a pass from Auston Matthews. USA 1, Germany 0
Play blown dead
Matthew Tkachuk’s helmet comes off, so play was stopped. Jack Eichel put the puck in after the whistle was blown. No goal.
Germany continues to press
The Germans have the last five shots in the game. Less than two minutes in the first period.
Germany chance
Connor Hellebuyck makes a glove save on JJ Peterka.
USA controlling play
The USA has a 12-3 edge in shots and has had several solid chances, but Maximilian Franzreb has kept the puck out.
USA goes on power play
Lukas Kalble is called for hooking. USA passes it around well and gets some good chances but Maximilian Franzreb makes the saves. Penalty killed.
USA gets early chance
Maximilian Franzreb stops Matt Boldy in tight.
Game underway
USA’s Connor Hellebuyck vs. Germany’s Maximilian Franzreb in net. The Jack Eichel line with the Tkachuk brothers is out first.
What time is USA men’s hockey vs. Germany?
Puck drop is at 3:10 p.m. ET.
Where to watch USA men’s hockey vs. Germany?
USA Network is broadcasting the game. Peacock is live streaming it.
Goaltending matchup
USA’s Connor Hellebuyck vs. Germany’s Maximilian Franzreb.
Team USA lines vs. Germany
Connor Hellebuyck to start for USA
This will be his second start. He was in net for a 5-1 win against Latvia in the opener.
Canada win likely prevents USA from top seed
What’s next for USA men’s team
If USA beats Germany, that means a bye into the quarterfinals. The group winers and the fourth-place team advance, while the other eight teams play a qualification round on Tuesday, with the winners advancing to meet the top four seeds.
How the Olympics men’s hockey tournament works
The 12 teams are divided into three groups. They are:
Group A: Canada, Switzerland, Czechia, France
Group B: Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy
Group C: USA, Germany, Latvia, Denmark
Teams play one game each against the other three teams in their group. Countries get three points for a regulation win, two for an overtime win, one for an overtime/shootout loss and zero for a regulation loss.
After the preliminary round is complete, teams are seeded 1 through 12 under the following criteria:
Higher position in the group
Higher number of points
Better goal difference
Higher number of goals scored for
Better IIHF world ranking
The top four teams (group winners and best second-place team) get a bye to the quarterfinals. Teams 5-12 play in a qualifying round, with the winners going to the quarterfinals.
Playoff qualification games are on Feb. 17, quarterfinals are Feb. 18 and semifinals are Feb. 20.
The bronze medal game is Feb. 21 and the gold medal game is Sunday, Feb. 22.