Gold takes silver, Black bows out in pool play — 2026 Veterans Nationals recap

The Pittsburgh Warriors sent two teams to the 2026 USA Hockey Veterans National Championships, and they came home with very different results. Pittsburgh Warriors Gold ran their bracket through pool play and the elimination round before falling in the championship game. Pittsburgh Warriors Black split four games in pool play and finished third in their division, missing the playoff bracket by a single goal.

The tournament ran Thursday April 23 through Sunday April 26. Full bracket and box scores are at the 2026 USA Hockey Veterans Nationals tournament hub.

Gold — silver medal

Gold opened with a 6–3 win over Seattle Warriors on Thursday morning behind a hat trick from Silas Watkins and goals from Jeremy Almazan, John Horgos, and Zachary Raymond.

→ Gold game 1 box score: Warriors 6, Seattle 3

Friday brought a stumble: a 6–4 loss to Minnesota Warriors Twin Cities 4 despite a two-goal effort from Roy Fincham.

→ Gold game 2 box score: Warriors 4, Minnesota 6

The team righted the ship that evening, beating Vegas Warriors 6–2. Dan Howe had a pair, with goals from Adam Cogley, Keith Costantino, Horgos, and Zayne Harshbarger, and two assists from Justin Brown.

→ Gold game 3 box score: Warriors 6, Vegas 2

Saturday's elimination round is where Gold made their statement. They handled a Seattle rematch 4–1 (Howe with another two), then exorcised the Minnesota loss in the semifinal 4–2 — Costantino with a pair, Jeremy Laux with a goal and an assist, Christopher Dottle with a goal, and assists from Jeremy Cramer and Harshbarger.

→ Gold quarterfinal box score: Warriors 4, Seattle 1

→ Gold semifinal box score: Warriors 4, Minnesota 2

The championship was a 5–3 loss to Dallas Stars Warriors 4 on Sunday morning. Fincham, Costantino, and Watkins scored for Gold. The team finished 4–2 with the silver medal.

→ Gold championship box score: Warriors 3, Dallas 5

Black — three games of grit, one goal short

Black drew a tough pool. They opened with a 6–3 win over Philadelphia Flyers Warriors Charlie behind a hat trick from Walter Riggs, two goals from Jesse Robson, and a three-assist game from Nathan Medich.

→ Black game 1 box score: Warriors 6, Philadelphia 3

That afternoon Oklahoma Warriors 5 jumped them 7–2; Robson and Riggs accounted for the goals.

→ Black game 2 box score: Warriors 2, Oklahoma 7

Friday was Black at their best: a 9–3 win over Colorado Warriors D, with Medich (3G 1A), Riggs (2G 1A), and Bradley Vig (1G 2A) leading the way.

→ Black game 3 box score: Warriors 9, Colorado 3

Saturday's must-win against Dallas Stars Warriors 5 ended 5–4 — Riggs with a hat trick that wasn't quite enough. The loss left Black 2–2, third in their division, and one goal short of the playoff bracket.

→ Black game 4 box score: Warriors 4, Dallas 5

What's next

Both rosters are home, hopefully banged up in the right ways. Practice schedules and the next event are on the events page. Tournament photos will be added to the Nationals gallery as they come in.