Ryan Leonard helped push Team USA to their second victory at the 2026 World Championship in Switzerland and now has a new Tissot watch to show for it.
While Leonard was unable to find the scoresheet during regulation, the 21-year-old winger scored the game-winning goal for the Americans in their five-round shootout against Germany. Through four rounds, the two teams were tied 1-1 before Team USA netminder Devin Cooley stopped Germany’s Nicolas Kramer, and Leonard beat Phillipp Grubauer at the other end.
Leonard made a simple move to his forehand before rifling a snap shot past Grubauer’s glove hand.
Ryan Leonard’s game-winning shootout goal
Leonard fired five shots on goal and skated 18:22 of ice time in the United States’ 4-3 victory. He lined up on the team’s top line, paired with Matthew Tkachuk and Tommy Novak. Tkachuk made his tournament debut, seeking to double up on gold medals this year after helping the Americans to gold at the Olympics this past February.
While he didn’t receive an assist on the play, Leonard also helped set up the game-tying goal in the third period to push the game to overtime. He fired a shot on net that eventually worked its way out of Grubauer’s pads and onto Novak’s stick for an easy tally.
Team USA’s game-tying goal
After the action, Leonard was chosen as Team USA’s Player of the Game. For his efforts, he was awarded the Tissot watch.
Team USA has three more games left in Group A action, starting Saturday against Latvia. They currently sit fourth in the group’s standings, trailing Switzerland, Finland, and Austria.
