Penguins’ Connor Clifton, Tommy Novak held pointless in United States’ loss to Latvia

Seth Rorabaugh TribLive Sat, May 23, 2026 • 01:18 PM

United States players, including Penguins defenseman Connor Clifton (No. 75) stand at the blue line following a loss to Latvia in an IIHF Men’s Ice Hockey World Championship preliminary round group A game in Zurich on Saturday. (Keystone via AP)

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Connor Clifton and forward Tommy Novak were each held without a point for the United States in a 4-2 loss to Latvia during a preliminary round game at the International Ice Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) World Championship tournament at Swiss Life Arena in Zurich on Saturday.

Opening the contest on the right side of the United States’ third pairing, Clifton logged 12:39 of ice time on 17 shifts and had one shot.

Novak started the contest on the left wing of the top line and clocked 18:13 of ice time on 17 shifts.

Highlights:

The United States will play Hungary in a preliminary round game on Monday, 10:20 a.m.