On Friday in Gothenburg, USA defeated Sweden 6-2 to capture gold at the 2024 World Junior Championships (WJC). The prestigious tournament featured many of hockey’s best prospects.

The Under-20 WJC didn’t disappoint. There were surprises throughout the marquee event that began on Dec. 26. That included Czechia eliminating Canada in the quarterfinals. They had a good roster that lost to USA in a shootout during group play. Czechia had a stirring comeback to shock Finland 8-5 to take bronze in a game they trailed 5-2.

Ultimately, USA had the best roster. They entered as favorites and backed it up with their play. After winning Group B, they coasted past Latvia in the quarters.

Then, Finland gave them a real test. The Americans fell behind 2-0 before coming back by rallying for an emotional 3-2 win in the semifinals. Cutter Gauthier got the game-winner on the power play with over three minutes left in the game. They advanced to the final to face Sweden in front of their fans. The Swedes edged Switzerland in the quarters and then triumphed over Czechia 5-2 to play for the gold.

Facing Sweden for the first time in the tournament, USA showed good composure early on. After forcing Swedish goalie Hugo Havelid into a good stop, it was the Swedes who applied some pressure on the American squad. Trey Augustine made a few key saves to keep Sweden off the scoreboard. He was calm in net to finish with 24 saves on 26 shots.

In the second part of the opening period, USA picked up their game. Their combination of skating, speed, skill, and grit was a team strength during the tournament. They were a deep team that could attack in waves. Particularly in transition. They used quick counters to do damage against opponents.

On a delayed penalty, USA got the extra attacker out for a six-on-five. During it, Rutger McGroarty moved the puck up top for Will Smith. His shot pass was tipped in by Gabe Perreault to give USA the lead with 3:04 left in the first period.

Early in the second period, Sweden put together a good shift to tie the score. After Elias Pettersson passed the puck up for a Mattias Havelid shot, Otto Stenberg redirected it past Augustine at 2:13.

The score remained tied until USA used their quick transition to retake the lead near the halfway point of the game. Drew Fortescue made a good lead pass for Isaac Howard, who broke in and went to the backhand to beat Hugo Havelid five-hole with 10:36 remaining in the second period. It was Howard’s first of two goals. For the tournament, he led all skaters with seven goals.

Less than five minutes later, Howard took a Gavin Brindley feed behind the net and came out with the puck. Tricking Havelid into thinking he was going to pass, he threw a shot towards the net that banked off a Swedish defenseman and in for a 3-1 lead with 5:41 left.

Before they got too comfortable, Seamus Casey went to the penalty box for tripping with less than a minute to go in the period. After they passed up an open shot, Sweden finally worked the puck around to get a big power-play goal with five seconds left. Noah Ostlund passed the puck up for Axel Pellikka Sandin at the right point. He then moved it across for a quick one-timer from tournament MVP Jonathan Lekkerimaki that deflected in front past Augustine to make it 3-2 USA headed to the third period.

With the Swedish contingent urging on their players, they couldn’t have loved what happened at the start of the third. Over a minute into the period, Perreault won an offensive draw to Will Smith. He then set up Zeev Buium for a one-timer that beat Havelid to give USA a 4-2 lead only 1:19 into the period.

A few minutes later, Ostlund was called for high-sticking. He drew blood. It was a double minor. USA could’ve put the game away. However, they were unable to get it done on the power play. There was one close call in front. But the tip attempt went over the net. Sweden did a good job killing off the four-minute penalty.

Despite getting the momentum, they weren’t able to solve Augustine, who had a strong game. He was very poised throughout and gave USA the edge they needed.

With under four minutes remaining, a great individual effort from Ryan Leonard resulted in a backbreaking goal that finished off Sweden. After receiving the puck from Perreault, Leonard kept his balance and maneuvered around two Swedish players before firing a wrist shot over the blocker of Havelid. That gave USA a 5-2 lead with 3:48 remaining.

The performance of the Boston College line got better as the tournament went on. The trio of Perreault, Leonard, and Smith were a factor in helping deliver the sixth gold medal in USA history at the WJC.

With Havelid on the Sweden bench for am extra attacker, Jimmy Snuggerud came out with the puck in the neutral zone and found McGroarty for the empty netter that put the exclamation mark on USA’s gold medal victory.

As time wound down, Sweden showed visible frustration. They went after some USA players during a scrum with 31 seconds to go. Both Ostlund and Anton Johansson got into it with Gauthier and Lane Hutson. A bloodied Hutson went back. Roughing minors and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties were assessed.

Once the dust settled, USA finally wound down the clock to touch off a big celebration. They’d already started earlier following the Leonard and McGroarty goals. It was a memorable scene for the jubilant Americans who mobbed each other after winning gold.

After an emotional Sweden were presented their silver medals, they went over and shook hands with USA. There was some discussion about what happened late. It was positive. They fought hard.

The Media All-Stars included Hugo Havelid (SWE), Theo Lindstein (SWE), Lane Hutson (USA), Jiri Kulich (CZE), Jonathan Lekkerimaki (SWE), and Cutter Gauthier (USA). Kulich led all skaters with 12 points (6-6-12). Gauthier led USA in scoring with two goals and 10 assists for 12 points. Both Howard and Lekkerimaki tied for the tournament lead with seven goals.

Other players who stood out that weren’t selected included Ostlund, Perreault, Brindley, Howard, Ondrej Becher, Filip Mesar, and Matyas Melovsky.

It was another successful tournament. One that brought the hockey world together. Hopefully, next year will include the return of Russia. That’s a whole other subject for another day.

Congrats to Team USA!