Ex-Penguins Prospect Tiffels Beats U.S. in OT, 4-3

One-time Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Frederik Tiffels beat goalie Casey DeSmith at 7:28 of overtime as Germany upset Team USA, 4-3, in the semifinals of the world championships at Tampere, Finland Saturday.

Tiffels, a sixth-round draft choice in 2015 who never reached the NHL, threw a shot over DeSmith’s glove hand from the left dot for the game-winner.

Germany’s Marcel Noebels forced overtime by flipping a close-range backhander past DeSmith with 1:23 remaining in regulation.

The Germans’ comeback soured a two-assist effort by Penguins winger Drew O’Connor for the U.S.. which will face Lativa in the bronze medal game Sunday. Canada and Germany will play for the gold medal later that day.

The Canadians clinched their spot in the title game with a 4-2 victory against Latvia in the other semifinal. Their lineup includes Penguins defenseman P.O Joseph.

Team USA has lost 11 consecutive semifinal games in that tournament.

O’Connor set up Alex Tuch, a Buffalo Sabres winger, for the goal that put the U.S. in front, 1-0, 71 seconds into the opening period. He also assisted on Michael Eyssimont’s goal that gave Team USA a 3-1 lead at 8:47 of the second.

Rocco Grimaldi also scored for Team USA, which is 8-1 in the tournament.

Tiffels and Maksymillian Szuber got the other German goals.