NY Islanders prospects Danny Nelson and Cole Eiserman play massive roles for USA in victory over Canada

The most anticipated matchup of the 2025 World Junior Championship certainly lived up to the hype as Team USA and Canada faced off for the top spot in Group A.

It was a spirited tilt from the opening faceoff, with the physicality ramped up to ten, and plenty of extra ciriculars after the whistle.

The Americans outlasted their neighbors to the North, winning by a score of 4-1. NY Islanders prospects Danny Nelson and Cole Eiserman played a massive role for their team in the victory.

Nelson and Eiserman front and center in Americans victory

A bit of a surprise heading into the game, Eiserman was named the 13th forward for the US, removed from his role as a second line winger alongside Nelson and Trevor Connelly (VGK). But Head Coach David Carle left Eiserman on the second play unit, earning plenty of ice time as the Canadians took 11 penalties in the game.

Eiserman helped set up the opening goal of the game, keeping a puck in at the blue line on the man-advantage, and finding Cole Hutson (WSH) who beat goaltender Carter George (LAK).

The game stayed 1-0 until the third period when the Canadians evened things up at one on a Bradley Nadeau (CBJ) power play goal.

Just 2:24 later, while on the man advantage again, Hutson found Nelson in the slot, rifling one home to give the US the 2-1 lead.

Eiserman, already on the stat sheet with an assist, essentially sealed the game for the US, registering the Americans third power play goal of the night, ripping a wicked wrist shot past George that found the top corner of the goal.

Easton Cowan (TOR), who seemed to be involved in every rummage after the whistle, took an awful penalty that led to Eiserman's goal, with the Islanders' prospect giving it to Cowan as he headed to the bench, seen yelling "Atta boy, Cowboy."

With group play now concluded, the US topped Group A and will take on Switzerland in the quarter-finals at 2:30 on Thursday.

Eiserman sits second on the US with six points (2 G, 4 A), and Nelson is tied for the team lead with three goals.

Watching the Islanders flutter through the first half of the season, it's been a breath of fresh air watching their prospects flourish on the biggest stage of junior hockey.