The United States and Russia are meeting for the 16th time in IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship history with the U.S. trailing in the all-time series, 4-1-0-10 (W-OTW-OTL-L). Russia is the only country to have a winning record against Team USA in the tournament, most recently claiming victory in the first preliminary-round game against the United States in 2015.

Overall, the two countries have met six times to open the tournament, with Russia taking five of six contests. However, the U.S. was victorious in the last medal-round bout against Russia in 2013, winning 4-3 in a shootout in Sochi. Despite the favorable record for Russia, the series has been close, with seven games decided by just one goal and five others by two scores. Russia holds the edge in goals scored, 52-45.

The U.S. enters the 2016 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship having captured a record 12-consecutive medals, including gold medals in six of the last seven years (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015). Team USA has won nine gold medals all-time, which is the most of any country in tournament history. The event began in 1999. Team USA earned its first gold medal in 2002 in Trnava and Piestany, Slovakia.