Sweden managed to put an end to the United States' strong effort in Germany, winning the U-18 World Hockey Championship gold medal game by a score of 6-4.
Sweden managed to put an end to the United States' strong effort in Germany, winning the U-18 World Hockey Championship gold medal game by a score of 6-4.
Sweden returns to the top step of the medal podium after winning the tournament in 2019, extending the team's medal count to four consecutive tournaments. Sweden has tied Russia and Finalnd for second in total medals with 12 each, with the Finns winning bronze earlier on Sunday.
Ryan Leonard gave the Americans an early lead at 2:24, with his shot beat Hugo Havelid on USA's first scoring chance of the period.
Efficiency was the name of the game for Sweden, who scored four goals on its first 10 shots. Oskar Pettersson's quick wrister at 12:09 made it 1-1, with Noah Ostlund scoring a minute later to take the advantage for the first time. Frank Nazar's slick goal from a tough angle at 15:56 made it 2-2 heading into the first break of the game.
Sweden's power play went a long way throughout the game, highlighted by goals from Ostlund and Ohgren in the second. Rutger McGroarty's goal late in the period made the game a one-goal affair once again heading into the final 20 minutes of play.
The Americans did everything they possibly could to try and get back into a game they ultimately outshot Sweden 6-4. But Ohgren's second goal -- a power-play marker at 51:59 on a breakaway -- put Sweden back by two and out of reach of the United States. McGroarty's second goal of the game with three minutes to go added some extra drama, but Swedish netminder Hugo Havelid held his own and Jonathan Lekkerimaki scored an empty-netter to win the game and the championship.