Tommy Novak and Connor Clifton were great for Team USA on Tuesday.
It was another good day for Team USA at the 2026 IIHF World Championships on Tuesday.
Team USA needed a regulation win to advance to the quarterfinals on Thursday and got the job done with a 4-1 win over Austria.
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Connor Clifton opened the scoring in the first period with a shot from the point. He pump-faked at first before rifling the puck home. It's his first point of the tournament.
He was also named the Player of the Game for Team USA.
Tommy Novak got an assist on Ryan Ufko's goal that made it a 2-0 game in the first period. Novak has six points (all assists) in his last two games.
Paul Cotter and Matthew Tkachuk made it 4-0 in the second period before Austria got one back late in the middle frame. Neither team scored in the third period.
Team USA will face Canada in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!