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U.S. Falls to Sweden, 6-0, in MWC Semis

By USAHockey.com, 05/19/18, 9:15AM EDT

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U.S. to play Canada for bronze tomorrow at 9:45 a.m. ET live on NHL Network

COPENHAGEN, Denmark – The 2018 U.S. Men's National Team outshot Sweden, 41-20, but fell in its semifinal game, 6-0, at the 2018 International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Championship

“Today’s outcome is disappointing, especially with how pleased we were of our play in the first and third periods,” said Jeff Blashill, head coach of the 2018 U.S. Men’s National Team. “I thought our effort was there but Sweden was able to capitalize on special teams and that was the difference. Our guys know there’s still a medal at stake tomorrow so now it’s time to pick ourselves up and find a way to win a hockey game.”

The United States (5-2-0-2/W-OTW-OTL-L) will play in tomorrow’s (May 20) bronze medal game against Canada. Puck drop is set for 3:45 p.m. local time (9:45 a.m. ET) in Copenhagen at Royal Arena and will be televised live on NHL Network.

The game opened with Team USA controlling the pace of play as Nick Bonino (Hartford, Conn.) nearly scored 1:45 into the game but his rebound attempt off a shot from Cam Atkinson (Riverside, Conn.) denied. Four minutes later, an initial shot by Bonino was deflected to the right face-off dot where Johnny Gaudreau (Salem, N.J.) fired a one-timer that was pushed away by Swedish netminder Anders Nilsson. 

With 5:17 left in the opening period, Sweden took a 1-0 lead off a goal by Viktor Arvidsson. Goaltender Keith Kinkaid (Farmingville, N.Y.) made the initial save before a scrum at the top of the crease saw the puck slip into the crease allowing Arvidsson the tap-in goal. 

Derek Ryan (Spokane, Wash.) almost tied the game three minutes later with a shorthanded chance on a breakaway, but both of his chances were turned aside by Nilsson. 

Three minutes into the second frame, Sweden’s Adam Larsson was called with a double-minor penalty for high sticking that resulted in a four-minute power play for Team USA. Less than 30 seconds into the man-advantage, the U.S. nearly even the score when a shot from the point bounced off the end boards and onto the stick of Chris Kreider (Boxford, Mass.) for a chance that sailed just left of goal.

With :27 left on Team USA’s man-advantage, Sweden doubled its lead when Magnus Paajarvi converted shorthanded. Three minutes later, Patrick Hornqvist scored on a Sweden power play before Mattias Janmark tallied 11 seconds later to give Sweden a 4-0 lead. 

The final stanza saw the U.S. continue to apply pressure as it outshot Sweden in the frame, 20-4, but goals from Arvidsson and Adrian Kempe resulted in the 6-0 final.

NOTES: Patrick Kane (Buffalo, N.Y.) was named the U.S. Player of the Game for the second straight game and third time overall … Cam Atkinson (Riverside, Conn.), Patrick Kane and Keith Kinkaid (Farmingville, N.Y.) were selected as Team USA's top three players of the tournament ... For the complete game statistics, click here ... For the complete roster, click here ... Jeff Blashill (Detroit Red Wings) is serving as head coach for the second straight year ... The staff and players of the 2018 U.S. Men's National Team are selected by Bill Zito (Columbus Blue Jackets), general manager of the 2018 U.S. Men's National Team, along with members of the U.S. Men's National Team Advisory Group that includes Stan Bowman (Chicago Blackhawks), David Poile (Nashville Predators), Ray Shero (New Jersey Devils), Dale Tallon (Florida Panthers), and Jeff Gorton (New York Rangers) ... For complete coverage of the U.S. Men’s National Team, visit teamusa.usahockey.com/2018mensworlds … The official online home of the 2018 IIHF Men’s World Championship is 2018.IIHFWorlds.com ... USA Hockey's international council, chaired by Gavin Regan (Potsdam, N.Y.), has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. national teams ... NHL Network is the exclusive U.S. rightsholder for the tournament

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U.S. Schedule

Date Opponent Round Result Location
Tues., May 1 Denmark Exhibition W, 3-2 KVIK Hockey Arena
Herning, Denmark
Fri., May 4 Canada Preliminary W, 5-4 (SO) Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Sat., May 5 Denmark Preliminary W, 4-0 Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Mon., May 7 Germany Preliminary W, 3-0 Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Thurs., May 10 Latvia Preliminary W, 3-2 (OT) Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Fri., May 11 Korea Preliminary W, 13-1 Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Sun., May 13 Norway Preliminary W, 9-3 Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Tues., May 15 Finland Preliminary L, 2-6 Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Thurs., May 17 Czech Republic Quarterfinals W, 3-2 Jyske Bank Boxen
Herning, Denmark
Sat., May 19 Sweden Semifinals L, 0-6 Royal Arena
Copenhagen, Denmark
Sun., May 20 Canada Bronze-Medal Game W, 4-1 Royal Arena
Copenhagen, Denmark

2018 Men's Worlds News