Canada set to take on Sweden for gold

By Alec Gearty

Posted 1/5/18

With an opportunity to medal for the first time since 2014, Sweden faces Canada in the gold medal game of the World Junior Championship at 8 p.m.

 

Sweden’s been in this position before. Not necessarily with a gold medal on the line but in the past three years, Sweden has played in the bronze medal game. Despite winning its group each time, Sweden has nothing to show for it. Head coach Tomas Monten put the loss behind him and is looking ahead to Friday’s festivities. 

 

“If we don’t win, I don’t think the feeling will be any different when we lost the bronze medal last year,” Monten said. “Now we are in the spot we want to be and it’s going to be fun.”

 

Sweden defeated the host-country United States 4-2 in a win that wasn’t as surprising to many. Its powerful forwards lead Sweden and the United States, their semi-final matchup was a matter of who was the first to seize advantage.

 

As Sweden scored twice while short-handed, it earned the right to play the Canadians, who will play for their 17th gold medal.

 

“I can’t wait. It’s going to be amazing,” said Swedish defenseman Rasmus Dahlin.

 

Both teams barreled its way through the tournament. Canada holds a 5-0-1 record while Sweden has yet to trail and is a flawless 6-0.

 

It is the first time since 2012, where the tournament’s top two seeds play against each other in the gold medal game — Sweden defeated Russia 1-0 in overtime.

 

Forwards Lias Andersson and Elias Pettersson enter Friday’s matchup leading Sweden with seven points.

 

Monten recognizes how close his group came at walking away with a medal in recent years. It pushes him to strive for a championship win.

 

“Everyone wants to win the last game,” Monten said. “That’s what we prepare for.”

 

Meanwhile, Canada hopes to spoil the celebration for Sweden. The Canadians are fresh off their 7-2 thrashing of the Czech Republic during the semi-finals. Canada outscored opponents 15-4 in the playoff round.

 

It will be a tall task for Sweden, who has yet to trail at any point during the tournament.

 

Led by forwards Jordan Kyrou and Sam Steel, Canada’s forwards are equally as impactful as Sweden’s group; but if Canada’s impressive power play is any indication, Sweden can’t afford to commit many penalties.

 

When asked about his impression of the Swedes, Canada head coach Dominque Ducharme was blunt on what makes them successful.

 

“They have a lot of skill,” Ducharme said. “There’s a reason why they are in the final. It’s going to be a great game.”

 

Meanwhile, the bronze medal game will take place at 4 p.m. at KeyBank Center.

 

The United States is disappointed, and rightfully so. After claiming its first gold medal since 2013, the United States failed to reach the gold medal game meaning an abrupt end to its repeat bid.

 

Instead of facing against North American counterpart, Canada, the United States and the Czech Republic meet in the bronze medal game of the 2018 World Junior Championship. Nevertheless, the goal of winning a medal remains the same.

 

“Obviously we came here for a gold medal but at the same time, we’ve got a lot of pride in the room,” United States forward Casey Mittelstadt said. “Any time you can try play for a medal, you have to go out and give it your all.”

 

The United States suffered a devastating 4-2 loss at the hands of Sweden. Now nearly 24 hours after the loss, the United States has one last shot at a medal. While the United States has Casey Mittelstadt and Brady Tkachuk, the Czech Republic’s duo of Martin Necas and Filip Zadina has been equally impressive.

 

Necas and Zadina scored 10 and eight points, respectively, through six games. Amongst a hoard of Canadians and Americans, the two Czechs sit inside the tournament’s top-five scoring leaders.

 

The Czech offense flew under the radar throughout the tournament. Along with goaltender Josef Korenar, the Czechs have dropped one game in regulation thus far — a 3-1 loss to Sweden. When it made the playoff round, Czech Republic defeated Finland, 4-3, before falling to Canada. Now with its gold medal hope vanished, the Czech’s attention turns to winning the bronze.

 

“We have to prepare ourselves,” Zadina said.

 

The United States has yet to drop back-to-back games this tournament. While the Americans suffered a surprising upset against Slovakia during the preliminary round, they responded by defeating Canada in a shootout.

 

“It’s up to us to go out on a very strong note,” United States head coach Bob Motzko.