Team USA Fends Off Sweden's Third Period Push, Advances to Quarterfinal 4-0

Each of these two teams have steamrolled their competition so far in this tournament, so this was the first real test for either side. The Swedes recently eliminated the U.S. at the u18 Worlds and always field a strong group. Meanwhile, the reigning gold medalist Team USA looks to ride into the elimination round with their record unbesmirched.

Starting goaltenders:

USA: Kaiden Mbereko
Sweden: Jesper Wallstedt (MIN)

Early on, Sweden held most of the puck possession off of the opening face-off, but as the period settled in each team proved capable and ready for a tightly fought game. The scoring would open when New York Rangers prospect Brett Berard jammed home a powerplay goal, giving Team USA a 1-0 lead early:

Berard has been on the ice for five goals this tournament, each of which came on the powerplay. Solid numbers. Goal assisted by Thomas Bordeleau (SJS) and Luke Hughes (NJD).

The action after the goal was fluid and constant. Shots were at nine a side, just halfway through the period. Both goaltenders were strong out of the gate, stopping all but one chance. Wallstedt's pedigree speaks for itself, but Kaiden Mbereko is an undrafted goalie committed to Colorado College next season, who has been strong enough for Team USA thus far. Not that he's faced a ton of challenges.

The second frame would belong mostly to USA, whose strategy of 'throw everything at Wallstedt' is paying off. In similar fashion to Berard's goal in the first, Matt Coronato (CGY) stuffed on past the Swedish netminder, taking advantage of Wallstedt's lanky frame and finding holes.

Goal assisted by Logan Cooley (ARI) and Matthew Knees (TOR). USA would continue to pour on the pressure, taking it to Sweden while they were on the back foot. The frustration of the Team Sweden started to show at this point, via their body language and as they started chirping at the referees.

The two teams traded powerplays, neither of which wound up successful. The Swedes found difficulty out-maneuvering the Team USA, as the Americans won seemingly every 50/50 battle. Logan Cooley said before the game that Sweden's players weren't as strong in the gritty areas as the U.S. and up until this point he was right.

The two sides would head into the third with an identical score as the previous intermission; USA leading 1-0. USA outshot the Swedes 30-16 through the first two periods and have visibly been the better team so far.

The start of the third looked a lot like the start of the second, with Team USA pushing the pace and controlling play over the Swedes. It wouldn't take long before USA added another goal, courtesy of MATT CORONATO (CGY) once more, this time with an absolute laser:

Emil Andrae, 2nd round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers, would waste no time countering when his shot was too hot to handle for Kaiden Mbereko. With eight minutes left in the third, Sweden showed their first signs of life. The Swedes continued to ride their momentum and sustain pressure in the American zone. Things got a lot more interesting when Ake Stakkestad buried the a rebound with just over a minute left:

Sweden would maintain pressure until the dying seconds but were unable to score, losing by a final score of 3-2. This guarantees Team USA top spot in Group B, which means they will face Czechia in teh first round of elimination play. Meanwhile, Sweden finishes second and will play Latvia in the quarterfinals.

Team USA was in the driver's seat all game long, out chancing Sweden two-to-one. USA head coach Nate Leaman said pre-game that their gameplan was to take it to Wallstedt all game, and they followed through doing just that.

Total shots were 41-30 in favor of Team USA

Players of the Game:

USA: Matt Coronato (CGY)
Sweden: Theodor Niederbach (DET)

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