IIHF U18: Sweden Edges USA 4–3 in Semifinal Thriller to Earn Shot at Gold

In a back-and-forth semifinal packed with momentum swings and dramatic bounces, Sweden scored twice in the third period to break a 2–2 deadlock and defeat the United States 4–3, earning a berth in Sunday’s gold-medal game against Canada.

Goaltender Love Harenstam was a key difference-maker for Sweden, turning aside 35 shots and holding strong during critical penalty kills in the third period. His calm presence and timely saves helped Sweden weather the American surge, especially late when the U.S. pushed hard with the extra attacker.

The loss sends Team USA into the bronze-medal matchup, where they’ll face Slovakia. It also marks a measure of revenge for Sweden, who fell 6–3 to the Americans in preliminary round play.

“Our coach said after the last time we played them—we’re not losing again,” said Sweden’s Filip Ekberg, who notched a goal and an assist in the win. “Everybody wanted this one. But we’re not done. We came for gold” (IIHF, 2025a).

First Period – Scoreless But Intense

Both teams traded chances through a tightly played first period, with long stretches of uninterrupted action. The U.S. controlled possession, but Sweden generated the two best looks—one from Viktor Klingsell, who ran out of space on a deke attempt, and another point-blank chance by Ekberg that was denied by a stellar blocker save from U.S. goaltender Patrick Quinlan.

Second Period – Wild Momentum Swings and Weird Bounces

The deadlock broke at 25:14 when Garrett Lindberg opened the scoring for Team USA with a low point shot that beat Love Harenstam clean. Drew Schock and Cullen Potter picked up the assists.

GOAL (25:14): Garrett Lindberg (USA) – Even Strength
Assists: Drew Schock, Cullen Potter

But Sweden responded quickly—and with a bit of luck. At 28:25, Filip Ekberg tied the game with his tournament-leading 10th goal, finishing a slick passing play with Viggo Bjorck and Milton Gastrin.

GOAL (28:25): Filip Ekberg (SWE) – Even Strength
Assists: Viggo Bjorck, Milton Gastrin

Less than two minutes later, the Swedes took the lead off a freak bounce. As Charlie Trethewey tried to clear the puck behind the U.S. net, it hit a stanchion and kicked out front—right onto the stick of Ivar Stenberg, who made it 2–1 Sweden at 30:13.

GOAL (30:13): Ivar Stenberg (SWE) – Even Strength

The Americans answered late in the period with a crazy bounce of their own. A dump-in rebounded wildly off the end boards and found Drew Schock, who tapped it into the open net to tie things at 2–2 at 34:53.

GOAL (34:53): Drew Schock (USA) – Even Strength

Third Period – Sweden Takes Control

The Swedes grabbed the go-ahead goal at 47:27 when Viggo Bjorck one-timed a return pass from Filip Ekberg, beating Quinlan cleanly after a sharp give-and-go with Milton Gastrin.

GOAL (47:27): Viggo Bjorck (SWE) – Even Strength
Assists: Filip Ekberg, Milton Gastrin

Just five minutes later, Bjorck helped deliver what proved to be the game-winner. After a successful penalty kill that included 51 seconds of 3-on-5 play, Bjorck carried the puck up ice and fed Torkel Jennersjö, who tapped in a backdoor goal to extend the lead to 4–2.

GOAL (53:22): Torkel Jennersjö (SWE) – Even Strength
Assists: Viggo Bjorck, Eric Nilson

Team USA pulled within one after another strange bounce off the end boards set up Cullen Potter for a tap-in past a scrambling Harenstam at 55:36. Assists went to Garrett Lindberg and Will Moore.

GOAL (55:36): Cullen Potter (USA) – Even Strength
Assists: Garrett Lindberg, Will Moore

Despite a late push and pulling the goaltender for the extra attacker, the Americans couldn’t find the equalizer. The Americans would lose to Sweden in heartbreaking fashion by a score of 4-3.

Postgame Reaction

U.S. Head Coach Greg Moore praised his team’s effort despite the heartbreaking loss:

“Really disappointing, but couldn’t be more proud of our team and how they played,” Moore said. “We outshot them almost two to one… Their goalie made a lot of big saves and took advantage of a couple of mistakes on our end” (IIHF, 2025).

Final Stats

Final Score: Sweden 4, USA 3
Shots on Goal: USA 38, Sweden 21
Power Plays: USA 0/2, Sweden 0/0
Penalties: Sweden 2 (4 PIM), USA 0 (0 PIM)

🏅 Medal Round Schedule – IIHF U18 World Championship

Bronze Medal Game
USA vs Slovakia
Comerica Center
14:30 Local Time / 15:30 ET – May 3

Gold Medal Game
Canada vs Sweden
Comerica Center
19:00 Local Time / 20:00 ET – May 3

IIHF. (2025a, May 4). Sweden ousts USA, advances to gold-medal game. International Ice Hockey Federation. https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2025/wm18/news

IIHF Game Photo Gallery: United States v. Sweden – SF 05/02/2025