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Former Hermantown standout Max Plante scored a third-period goal as Team USA defeated Germany 5-2 in its lone exhibition game ahead of the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship before a sellout crowd of 12,909 at SAP Arena.
Plante, a sophomore forward from University of Minnesota Duluth and the reigning Hobey Baker Award winner, helped the Americans seize control early in the third period with a key goal that pushed the U.S. lead to 4-1.
The Hermantown native finished off the scoring chance just 1:16 into the final frame, continuing the breakout season that elevated him into one of the top young American players invited to Team USA’s preliminary roster.
The Americans received scoring from five different players in the tuneup victory.
Ryker Lee opened the scoring in the first period with a highlight-reel power-play goal, lifting a backhand shot into the top corner from near the goal line. Ryan Leonard and former Bulldogs defenseman Justin Faulk collected assists on the play.
Sam Lafferty gave Team USA a 2-0 lead early in the second period before Germany cut the deficit to 2-1 late in the frame. Alex Steeves answered moments later with 17 seconds remaining in the period, scoring from the bottom of the right circle to restore the Americans’ two-goal cushion.
Plante’s goal early in the third period stretched the lead to three before Germany answered on a goal by Arkadisz Dziambor. Mathieu Olivier later added an empty-net goal to complete the scoring.
Joseph Woll started in net for the United States and stopped all 11 shots he faced. Devin Cooley finished the game with 16 saves.
Team USA opens play in the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship on Friday against host Switzerland. The Americans enter the tournament as the defending world champions.
