2023 World Juniors: USA beats Sweden in Wild Bronze-Medal Game
Click here for photos from Team USA’s bronze medal
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — In one of the wildest Junior World Cup games in recent memory, which included a nine-goal second period in which Sweden overcame several deficits, including in the final 21 seconds of regulation, the U.S. managed to pull out an 8: a -7 victory in overtime to take the bronze medal.
CHAZ LUCIUS, THE OVERTIME HERO!
TEAM USA WINS BRONZE π₯#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/FBebrRrLYF
β TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023
Chaz Lucius (WPG) scored 2:06 into the extra frame on a backhand that found the inside of the post to secure the bronze medal after the bitter disappointment of losing to Canada the night before.
The Americans got the scoring started early in the game when Logan Cooley (ARI) finished off a centering feed from Jimmy Snuggerud (STL), who forced a turnover with a good forecheck. It turned out to be the only goal of the period, but certainly not the only fireworks.
Logan Cooley capitalizes on the turnover to give the USA a 1-0 lead π¨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/rfbxmEf0GM
β TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023
Swedish forward Fabian Lysell (BIM) was sentenced to a match penalty for an illegal check on the head of Kenny Connors (LAK). Lysell was kicked out of the game and ended his tournament a few periods early.
The second period is where things really opened up, with the teams scoring a total of nine goals before ending the middle frame tied at 5-5.
Team USA had leads of 2-0, 3-1 and 5-3 at various points in the period, but each time Sweden climbed back in and managed to tie the game three times. Sweden scored two goals in the last 1:08 of the period, the last of which came with 42 seconds left when Swedish forward Liam Ohgren (MIN) picked off goaltender Trey Augustine (2023) and put the puck into a wide-open net.
ΓHGREN KNOWS THE GAME AGAIN!
πΊπΈ 5-5 πΈπͺ#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/rLFUJ3PGMC
β TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023
The USA made a goaltending change early in the third period, returning to veteran Kaidan Mbereko, who was the starter at the 2022 World Juniors.
Just four minutes into the third period, Noah Ostlund (BUF) scored on a backhand shot that beat Mbereko over the shoulder to give Sweden its first lead of the game.
The USA responded after being on their heels when captain Luke Hughes (NJD) scored an unbelievable goal that spun off the defender and released the shot from his knees to beat Carl Lindbom (VGK) between the legs.
WHAT A GOAL FROM LUKE HUGHES TO KNIT IT π¨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/DMVSTEZBo8
β TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023
With 21.4 seconds left, Sweden equalized for the fourth time when Filip Bystedt (SJS) had a puck streaked straight at him at the back door for an open look and he didn’t interfere. The crowd of over 9,000 spectators erupted in favor of Sweden.
BYSTEDT IMPROVES IT FOR SWEDEN WITH 21 SECONDS TO GO π€―#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/iNKZcz5jWE
β TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023
That set the stage for overtime where defenseman Lane Hutson (MTL) made a play to get to the net. Lindbom made the first save, but Lucius was there to complete a hat trick and secure the USA’s fifth medal in seven years at the World Juniors.