In a surprising twist at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, Sweden upset the United States with a 2-1 victory. The Americans had already secured their place in the championship, but Sweden played hard and spoiled their hopes of an unbeaten run.
Chris Kreider, replacing Matthew Tkachuk in the lineup, scored the only goal for Team USA. On the other hand, Swedish goalie Samuel Ersson made a stunning 31 saves, allowing only one goal.
The game took place in Boston after earlier rounds were held in Montreal. The Americans started strong, scoring just 35 seconds in. After a rush towards the net by Zach Werenski, Kreider capitalized on a rebound for an early lead.
The United States controlled the first period, but Sweden turned the tide. Gustav Nyquist tied the game with a clever redirection. Shortly after, with less than a minute left in the frame, Jesper Bratt scored, giving Sweden a 2-1 lead that would hold throughout the game.
The second and third periods were scoreless. U.S. forward Brady Tkachuk left the game due to an undisclosed injury, leaving the Americans to finish with only ten forwards.
Earlier that day, Canada defeated Finland 5-3, setting up a championship rematch against the United States.
For the Americans, coach Mike Sullivan opted to rest starting goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck and instead started Jake Oettinger, who made 21 saves. USA had previously beaten Finland 5-1 and Canada 3-1 in the tournament, displaying strong offensive skills.
However, the U.S. offense struggled against Sweden. They hit the post five times, with Jack Eichel ringing it twice. Eichel had a chance early in the third, but his shot ricocheted off the post, showcasing the Americans’ frustration.
On a brighter note for Team USA, Zach Werenski notched an assist, tying for the tournament lead in points and matching a record for the most assists by a defenseman in NHL international tournaments.
The health of key players sheds light on the U.S.’s upcoming match against Canada. Several top players were held out against Sweden, including Auston Matthews and Tkachuk, due to injuries. Tkachuk was still under observation after leaving the game for precautionary reasons, but there’s hope he might return for Thursday’s rematch.
As both teams get ready for the finals, fans anticipate a competitive matchup after the U.S. edged Canada in their previous encounter. With injuries lingering and players working hard to recover, the championship promises to be an exciting clash.
