Snuggerud's pair leads United States over Switzerland for second win of the tournament

The third game of Day 4 at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship featured the most surprising team of the tournament, Switzerland, taking on a United States squad that's coming off a shocking loss to Slovakia on Wednesday.

After a relatively quiet 18 minutes of the opening frame, the United States got the game's first goal. Logan Cooley went to go behind the Swiss net with the puck, he then makes a sweet feed to Jimmy Snuggerud, who was at the side of the goal and he fired one past Alessio Beglieri to make it 1-0 United States.

Jimmy Snuggerud puts one by Pasche to open the scoring 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/XNYZfK89ky— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 29, 2022

On a powerplay early in the second period, the United States extended their lead. Arizona Coyotes prospect Logan Cooley scored his first of the tournament after a no-look pass from Rutger McGroarty to make it 2-0.

Logan Cooley taps one home after Rutger McGroarty's no-look pass 🔥#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/ObVIKIOg24— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 29, 2022

With just over three minutes to play in the second period, the United States scored their third of the game. On the powerplay, Jackson Blake took the puck behind the net and found Jimmy Snuggerud alone in front and he puts home his second of the night to make it 3-0.

Jimmy Snuggerud's second goal of the game gives USA a 3-0 lead 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/b2pziGIoeH— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 29, 2022

A little over a minute later, the United States scored once again. Ottawa Senators prospect Tyler Boucher potted home the rebound in front of the Swiss net to make it 4-0 for the United States.

Tyler Boucher buries the rebound to extend USA's lead 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/bgTQRRLWp8— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 29, 2022

Then, with less than 30 seconds left in the middle frame, Switzerland fought back and broke Trey Augustine's shutout bid. Captain Attilio Biasca picked up the puck off the face-off and fired it towards the United States' net. It deflected off Lane Hutson and past Augustine, cutting the United States' lead to three.

Attilio Biasca strikes for Switzerland to make it a 4-1 game 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/5TnUdpbzq1— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 29, 2022

With just under seven minutes left in the third period, United States captain Luke Hughes restored his team's four-goal lead. Hughes skated into Switzerland's zone and fired a shot through a screen, picking the top corner, blocker side on Beglieri to make it 5-1.

Luke Hughes rifles one home to extend USA's lead 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/xkHKoDsXOg— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 29, 2022

The United States would hold on to beat Switzerland, 5-1, thanks to a pair of goals from Jimmy Snuggerud. The Swiss have now lost their first game of the tournament after winning the previous two in overtime and a shootout respectively.

Up next for each team: Both the United States and Switzerland will have Friday off before returning to action on Saturday. Switzerland will face Slovakia in the first game of the day on New Year's Eve, while the United States gets the third time slot and will take on Finland.

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