Penguins’ Connor Clifton scores in United States’ win against Austria

Seth Rorabaugh TribLive Tue, May 26, 2026 • 06:18 PM

United States defenseman Connor Clifton celebrates at the bench after a goal during the Group A preliminary round game against Austria in Zurich on Tuesday. (Keystone via AP)

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Connor Clifton scored a goal for the United States in a 4-1 win against Austria to conclude the preliminary round of the International Ice Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) World Championship tournament at Swiss Life Arena in Zurich on Tuesday.

Opening the contest on the right side of the third pairing, Clifton logged 20:14 of ice time on 21 shifts and had two shots.

Penguins forward Tommy Novak recorded an assist for the United States. Starting the contest on the left wing of the fourth line, Novak clocked 15:04 of ice time on 15 shifts and had two shots.

Highlights:

The United States will face Canada in the quarterfinal round on Thursday, 10:20 a.m.

Penguins forward Sidney Crosby and defenseman Parker Wotherspoon each recorded two assists for Canada in a 3-2 win against Czechia at BCF Arena in Fribourg, Switzerland.

Opening the contest on the left wing of the top line, Crosby logged 16:24 of ice time on 19 shifts and had two shots.

Wotherspoon began the contest on the left side of the top pairing and clocked 16:28 of ice time on 22 shifts.

Highlights: