Sweden defeats USA in preliminary round final; Hutson update; Chiclets U focus on BU Hockey; Women face Quinnipiac in Belfast

 

 

IIHF World Junior Championship 

In its final preliminary round game of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championships, Team USA fell to Sweden, 6-3. As a result the U.S. finishes second in Group A and will face Finland, third in Group B, in Friday's quaterfinals. Gametime is 6 p.m. ET for the contest that will air on NHL Network.

Sascha Boumedienne and Sweden, finished atop Group A and will face Latvia on Friday at 2 p.m. ET, also on NHL Network 

2027 recruit Brady Knowling, the youngest player on the U.S. squad, was a surprise starter in goal for Team USA and played the first two periods. He stopped nine of 10 shots in the opening period, with Sweden scoring on a deflection off a U.S. defender's skate. Sweden's special teams dominated the middle period with two power-play goals and a shorthanded tally to take a 5-2 lead. Knowling had 14 saves in the period, finishing with 23 saves on 28 shots. Notre Dame's Nick Kempf played the third period.

Cole Eiserman assisted on Team USA's first goal, which came in the second period.

● IIHF recap and box score 

● USA Hockey Sweden Bests USA, 6-3, In World Juniors Preliminary Round 

● FloHockey.tv recap 

 Cole Hutson Update   

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Asked Bob Motzko what the chances are Cole Hutson (WSH) will be back for the QF. "Pretty good chance."

"Probably not" regarding Max Plante (DET).

— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) January 1, 2026 

Hutson was hit in the back of the helmet by a puck during Team USA's second game and was stretchered off the ice. After being checked out at the hospital, he returned to the arena and has been day-to-day since then.

►►Earlier in the week USA Hockey's Pete Krupsky sat down with Knowling to talk about coming back from injury, beating the CHL prospects and his mask (and his golden retriever!).  

  

 Men's Team

#19 Terriers return to the ice on Saturday to face Simon Fraser in an exhibition game. Puck drop at Agganis Arena is set for 5 p.m. ET.

►►Barstool Sports' Spittin' Chiclets crew, which features Ryan Whitney, turns its attention to the Terrier men's and women's teams, asking "Is Boston University The Best Road To The Pro's?" [The unbiased answer is "Yes."] Here's their promo for the video:

On This episode of Chiclets University, follow us into the historic BU Locker room and meet some legends of the game. With some of the best NHL Alumni to come out of this school, it was only fitting to tour the facilities with two of hockey's bright young stars, Cole Eiserman and Cole Hutson. This episode is full of NHL Alumni, Gold medal winners, and the staff that make it all happen. This is an episode you won't want to miss.

  

 

Looking ahead  

2026 recruit Caleb Malhotra earned OHL Rookie of the Month honors for December with 16 points in 10 games. The 6'2", 182 lb., center, who captained the CHL all-stars in the recent CHL-USA Prospects Challenge, leads all OHL rookies with an 18-30-48 scoring line in 35 games.    

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Caleb Malhotra answered the call 🐾

The @BulldogsOHL rookie piled up 16 points (7-9–16) over his last 10 games and holds the #OHL rookie scoring race with 48 (18-30–48)

DETAILS 🗞️: https://t.co/pv0DFZeNkj#NHLDraft | @FloHockey pic.twitter.com/0N6Tjn7G9n

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) January 1, 2026   

● OHL.com Top Performers for December Announced 

Women's Team 

 

Photo credit Eliza Nuestro 

Terriers are in Belfast for the 2026 Friendship Series. They'll face #8 Quinnipiac today at SSE Arena in a 2 p.m. ET start. The other tournament semifinal features Harvard and #5 Minnesota Duluth. Details in the reports below.

● GoTerriers.com Terriers to Face #8 Quinnipiac in Opening Round of 2026 Friendship Series 

● BU Hockey Stats International Flair (Week 12 Preview)