It is very rare that the two teams deemed to be the best going into the World Juniors end up in the final game, but that is what will happen on Friday in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The Swedes avoided an upset at the hands of Czechia, breaking a 2-2 tie and scoring three third-period goals in a 5-2 win.
The Americans fell behind a tough Team Finland 2-0 after 20 minutes, but evened the score 2-2 on goals by Jimmy Snuggerud and Will Smith, and pulled ahead for good late in regulation on a power play goal by Flyers first-rounder Cutter Gauthier.
â¬†ï¸ POWER PLAY GOAL! Cutter Gauthier gives @usahockey the lead late in the third! #USAFIN #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/HAffGVDJwf
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) January 4, 2024
It should be a very entering game on Friday, and it will be a tough challenge for the US with a very pro-Swedish crowd.