Coronato Delivers & Cooley Stars as Team USA Stays Perfect at Worlds
Calgary Flames players continued to make their mark at the 2026 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland. On Wednesday, Matt Coronato and Devin Cooley played key roles in a dramatic 4-3 shootout win for Team USA over Germany.
Cooley was great in the crease to lead Team USA.
The Americans improved to 2-0 at the tournament thanks in large part to the steady play of the two Flames representatives. Cooley was outstanding in goal, turning aside 31 shots through regulation and overtime before stopping five of six German attempts in the shootout.
Germany struck early when Detroit defenceman Moritz Seider scored just over a minute into the opening period, but the U.S. responded with an Ike Howard equalizer before the intermission. The teams traded goals in the second period, with Max Sasson scoring for the Americans and Frederik Tiffels answering for Germany. Former Vancouver Canuck Marc Michaelis restored Germany’s lead midway through the third, putting pressure on the Americans to rally late.
That’s when Cooley took over. The Flames netminder shut the door the rest of the way, making 14 saves in the third period alone to keep the U.S. within striking distance. His best work came on a pair of highlight-reel stops. One was a sprawling second-period save on a dangerous one-timer, while the other was a spectacular overtime kick stop on Michaelis to preserve the tie.
Nashville forward Tommy Novak eventually tied the game with under six minutes remaining in regulation, setting the stage for a tense shootout.
Matt Coronato delivered in the shootout.
Coronato then delivered in the shootout. Facing elimination in the fifth round, the Flames winger calmly ripped a shot home from the left circle to extend the contest. Washington rookie Ryan Leonard sealed the victory in the sixth round moments later.
He finished with three shots on goal and won 11 of 20 faceoffs while skating 18:58 in another strong all-around performance for the Americans.
Cooley has been strong in his two games for Team USA.
Through two games, Cooley has earned both victories for the United States, while Coronato continues to show the offensive confidence and composure that made him one of Calgary’s brightest young forwards this past season.
More Flames content is on tap Thursday, with Ryan Huska and Team Canada taking on Norway, while Finland’s Olli Määttä faces Latvia in another key day at the World Championship.