In the northern Swedish city that gave us Henrik Zetterberg and Fredrik Modin it was the Swedes who were the toughest competition for the reigning U18 world champions as both teams entered the last day undefeated. Team USA faced little challenge in the games against Finland and Switzerland, which they won 8-1 and 7-1 respectively.

Sweden started with a 4-1 victory against Switzerland before edging Finland 6-5 in a game that saw the Finns gain the lead three times and Julius Nattinen tie the game for Finland with 90 seconds left in regulation time with his second marker. But Linus Olund scored Sweden’s game-winner at 4:37 of overtime gave Sweden the win and eventually second place in the tournament.

The game for first place between the U.S. and Sweden was a tight contest as well. Goals from Oliver Erixon, Philip Magnusson and Carl Grundstrom gained Sweden a 3-2 first-period lead while Auston Matthews and Grant Gabriele tied the game twice for the Americans. The game turned in the second period when Team USA dominated the play and earned goals from Christian Evers and Jack Roslovic for a 4-3 lead. Colin White made it a two-goal margin early in the third period.

Grundstrom replied with Sweden’s fourth goal and his second of the game but Matthews scored the last goal of the game at 9:44 of the third period with his second marker for the final score of 6-4.

Finland finished in third place thanks to a 5-4 victory against Switzerland. The Swiss outshot the Finns 30-28 and tied the game three times but the Finns decided the game thanks to a strong second period.