The bronze-medal game featured two teams that suffered their first defeats of the tournament in Saturday’s semifinals. Less than 24 hours later, Sweden erased a 2-1 third-period deficit and defeated Canada 4-2.

Asked if it was difficult to get up for the bronze-medal game the day after losing in a shootout to Switzerland, Connor Bedard said, “By the time the game comes, you’re excited to play and you want to win. Getting a medal is still an important thing, so we were motivated this game.”

“We definitely wanted to win,” agreed goaltender Jordan Binnington. “I wanted to end the season on a win and it’s frustrating to come away with nothing to show for it. We worked really hard this month and we came together as a group. There are a lot of positive takeaways – relationships and the experience – it was very enjoyable and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

Tied 1-1 after two periods, Pierre-Luc Dubois gave Canada the lead early in the third period before the Swedes came back with goals four minutes apart in the middle of the period.

“I thought we played really well until we took the lead,” said Canadian coach André Tourigny. “Then maybe we were a little bit too passive and let them take over.”

“Obviously, we’ve always got confidence in our team but they did stuff that made them win the game,” Bedard said about Sweden’s comeback.

The go-ahead goal came on a miscue from Binnington leading to Carl Grundström’s unassisted goal.

“I was a little bit screened there,” said Binnington. “It was kind of a bouncing puck so I was trying to steer it to the corner and it just sort of went around our guy. It happens and it’s unfortunate.”

Asked about playing with Bedard, Binnington said, “Yeah, he’s obviously a highly talented player and he’s got a bright future. He’s still so young so it’s good to see him first-hand.”

“I think he’s elite with the puck and he produced important goals early in the tournament for us,” Tourigny said about Bedard. “He’s a really good kid as well. He’s easy to coach and he progressed well.”

Bedard, unhappy with the loss, was asked if he thought the tournament went well.

“No,” he answered curtly. “We didn’t even get a medal, so no.”