Andrew Copp scored to break a 3-3 tie with 3:22 remaining in regulation and Team USA held on for a 5-3, come-from-behind win over Latvia in Cologne, Germany on Saturday.
With the win, Jack Eichel and Team USA gain sole possession of first place in the Group A standings. Russia trails by one point with a game in hand and a head-to-head matchup awaiting the two teams on Tuesday.
For Zemgus Girgensons and Latvia, meanwhile, the loss adds pressure for their final two games of the preliminary round. Having entered the contest undefeated through four games, Latvia now sits in fourth place with games against Russia and host-country Germany still on their docket. Only the top four teams in each group advance beyond the preliminary round.
Copp's late goal powers Team USA to comeback win over Latvia
O'Reilly scores in Canada's loss to Switzerland