Thanks, IIHF
The U.S. has had Sweden’s number at the World Juniors recently. Team USA’s record over the previous 10 meetings against Sweden was nine wins and one loss (a 1-0 preliminary defeat in 2016). Including wins the 2013 WJC gold medal game and the bronze medal games in 2007, 2011, and 2016.
That was then. This is now.
Congratulations are in order for Juniorkorona. Team Sweden has advanced to play in the gold medal game at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Chmapionships in Buffalo. Sweden built a 4-0 lead against the defending champions from Team USA and they made it hold up after a third period rally by the Americans. Sweden will play the winner of Team Canada in the gold medal game.
(Canada was leading their semifinals game against the Czechs 6-1 when I posted this story)
The unbeaten Swedes, who finished fourth at the last three World Juniors, now have the opportunity to win the gold medal for the first time since 2012 in Calgary, Alberta. Sweden’s last WJC medal was the silver medal that was earned in Malmo in 2014.
Sweden’s only other World Junior gold came way back in 1981.
Sweden’s starting goalie Filip Gustavsson has played tremendously at the WJCs in Buffalo. Gustavsson was a pillar of strength in the semis. Team USA outshot Sweden 31-20.
"I think we're meeting the two best opponents, first the U.S. and then Canada," said Gustavsson. "I hope we play Canada to show everyone that we are the best team."
Thursday’s win over Team USA was the first Swedish playoff win over the Americans since a 3-0 quarter-final decision in 1996, the same year the IIHF instituted the playoff system at the World Juniors Hockey Championships.
The Americans started poorly versus Sweden had their backs broken when they allowed not one, but two shorthanded goals against and the seven returning players from 2017, the dream of winning two straight titles for the first time since Canada’s last five-bagger (2005-09) is over.
The four previous U.S. golds came in Finland (2004), Canada (2010, 2017), and Russia (2013). Sweden was led by captain Lias Andersson (NY Rangers) who scored a goal and an assist. A Petterson snipe opened the scoring for Sweden. Oskar Steen and Axel Jonsson Fjallby had the shorthanded daggers.
"We played a pretty good game today," said Timothy Liljegren. "The U.S. had home advantage, but we've had a good feeling in the group for a while now. This was our goal all along, to play in the gold medal game." Kieffer Bellows and Brady Tkachuk replied for the U.S., which will seek bronze in Friday's early game
Bellows tipped his bucket to the Swedes. "They can damage you at all times. They have great offense and superb defense. We played a really complete game, I thought. They came out on top, and credit to them."
In the second period, with a delayed penalty coming up to the U.S., Isac Lundestrom, who scored twice in the 3-2 quarter-final over the Czechs, was foiled by Woll’s right skate on a mid-period breakaway.
Nylander's assist on Pettersson’s PPG tied him with his father Michael Nylander for fourth overall in all-time Swedish World Junior scoring (28 points).
"We were just trying to keep our composure and not get too stressed," Nylander said. "Stay calm, play it out, keep going until we won."
Mission accomplished, Snipeshow. Nylander is playing for Sweden on loan from the Buffalo Sabres and Rochester Americans. Nylander is playing in his third straight WJC tournament for his native Sweden.
The Americans botched a glorious chance to tie it on a late-period power play when they got a 3-on-0 break. Gustafsson stopped Mittelstadt, and then Bellows ran into the Swedish goalie, nullifying the man advantage with an interference minor.
After the game, a crestfallen Mittelstadt confessed that he did not know that he had a convoy with him on the three-man breakaway. Mittelstadt admitted that he didn’t see Tkachuk and Bellows and that he heard his teammates yelling from the net to shoot. Mittelstadt wants that breakaway back. Given another opportunity in the same situation, Mittelstadt would have shared the puck or made a better shot on Gustavsson.
Casey Mittelstadt said he doesn't know what happened on the 3-on-0 but says he needs to finish on that chance because it would've changed the game. Despite his 'worst' game, Mittelstat has had an outstanding WJC #Sabres pic.twitter.com/jkKb3VHv8t
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) January 5, 2018
Sweden also got goals from Oskar Steen, Axel Jonsson Fjalljby, and Lias Andresson. Trailing 40 in the third period, the defending champs finally found their mojo.
A Bellows power play goal made the score 4-1 Sweden at 12:24 mark of the third period. It was Bellows’ team-leading seventh goal.
With 3:01 left in regulation, Tkachuk potted a rebound to make it 4-2. With Oettinger pulled for the extra attacker, the Americans got their chance to tie it up when Tim Soderlund was sent off for holding. The defending champs generated pressure, but couldn't beat Gustavsson.
**
The three best U.S. players of the tournament were recognized:
Adam Fox, Kieffer Bellows, and Casey Mittelstadt.
For Sweden, it was Rasmus Dahlin, Alexander Nylander, and Lias Andersson.
**
Meanwhile in the Twin Cities,
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen was assessed a five-minute major penalty for interference and a game misconduct for this body check on Minnesota Wild center Mikko Koivu.
I see the Ristolainen check as two Finnish high speed trains colliding head on in the middle of the. It's a hockey play. Risolainen stepped up on Koivu and he buried him. Ristiolainen was not targeting Koivu's head.
There is a total absence of malice on the behalf of Ristolainen. It's a hockey play.
Nothing to see here.