The United States are going for a medal today, just not the one it was hoping for. The team faces Sweden Thursday afternoon in the 2023 World Juniors bronze-medal game.
Both teams are coming off of tough semifinal losses. The United States lost to Canada, while Sweden fell to Czechia.
The USA grabbed an early 2-0 lead over its rivals, but the team gave up six consecutive goals en route to a 6-2 loss. The Americans were on the wrong end of two disallowed goals, as Canada successfully challenged twice for goaltender interference and wiped the USA goals off the board.
MORE: Watch the 2023 World Juniors live with fuboTV (free trial, U.S. only)
Sweden was less than a minute away from clinching its berth in the gold-medal game. However, a game-tying goal by David Jiricek with 38 seconds left forced overtime, and Jiri Kulich potted the eventual game-winner for the Czechs.
The last time the USA played in the bronze-medal game was in 2018 against Czechia. The Americans won 9-3 to earn its sixth bronze at the tournament.
This is the second consecutive year that Sweden is playing for a World Juniors bronze medal. The Swedes defeated Czechia 3-1 at the 2022 games to earn a third-place finish at the tournament.
It is the first time these two teams are playing against each other at the 2023 tournament.
MORE: 2023 World Juniors schedule, standings, results
The Sporting News is providing live updates and highlights from the USA-Sweden bronze-medal matchup at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship.
USA vs. Sweden score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | F | |
| USA | – | – | – | – | – |
| Sweden | – | – | – | – | – |
USA vs. Sweden live updates, highlights from 2023 World Juniors
(All times Eastern.)
Pregame
1:30 p.m. — The U.S. is ready to claim a medal after failing to do so at the 2022 tournament.
Playing for bronze today 🇺🇸 #WorldJuniors
Preview → https://t.co/T9ii0p47yi pic.twitter.com/RWwwqje47s
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) January 5, 2023
USA vs. Sweden start time
- Time: 2:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. AST)
The puck drops at 2:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. local time) from the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, N.S., the home of the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads.
MORE: Team Canada 2023 World Juniors roster, results
This is the first of two medal games at the 2023 World Juniors.
What channel is USA vs. Sweden on today?
- Canada: TSN 1/3/4/5
- United States: NHL Network
TSN has all the World Juniors action in Canada. In the United States, viewers can find the games on NHL Network.
Gord Miller and Mike Johnson will be on TSN’s call. James Duthie, Bob McKenzie and Cheryl Pounder will provide analysis during intermissions.
Stephen Nelson and Dave Rosen are the duo on NHL Network for the American audience, along with reporter Jon Rosen.
How to live stream World Juniors hockey games
Fans in Canada can stream all World Juniors games at TSN.ca or the TSN app. U.S. fans can stream the tournament on fuboTV (which offers a free trial), NHL.tv or the NHL app.
MORE: Team USA roster, schedule for 2023 World Juniors
USA vs. Sweden odds
- USA: -1.5 (-115)
- Sweden: +1.5 (-120)
- O/U: 6.0
The US is a 1.5-goal favorite on the puck line against Sweden in the bronze medal game, according to Sports Interaction.
USA World Juniors schedule 2023
(All times Eastern)
| Date | Opponent | Result | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 26 | Latvia | W, 5-2 | FINAL | TSN, NHLN |
| Dec. 28 | Slovakia | L, 6-3 | FINAL | TSN, NHLN |
| Dec. 29 | Switzerland | W, 5-1 | FINAL | TSN, NHLN |
| Dec. 31 | Finland | W, 6-2 | FINAL | TSN, NHLN |
| Jan. 2 | Germany (Quarterfinals) | W, 11-1 | FINAL | TSN, NHLN |
| Jan. 4 | Canada (Semifinals) | L, 6-2 | FINAL | TSN, NHLN |
| Jan. 5 | Sweden (Bronze-medal game) | — | 2:30 p.m. | TSN, NHLN |
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