The United States and Sweden look to rebound from 2-1 losses in the semifinals when they drop the puck in the bronze-medal game Tuesday at Hartwall Arena.
The matchup features two Chicago Blackhawks prospects with Nick Schmaltz for the Americans and Gustav Forsling on the blue line for Sweden. It’s the second time the two have faced off with Forsling and the Three Crowns skating away as victors with a 1-0 shutout in the preliminary round. Swedish goaltender Linus Soderstrom made 46 saves in the win, helping his team kill off eight penalties.
The Americans last reached the podium in 2013 by winning the 2013 tournament, while Sweden was stunned on home ice in Malmö the year after by Nordic rival Finland.
Auston Matthews leads the tournament in goals (seven) and is tied for third in points (11) with Finland’s Patrik Laine. A goal against the Swedes will tie Jeremy Roenick’s 1989 record for the most U.S. goals in a tournament. The semifinal loss to the Russians was the first game since the defeat against Sweden that Matthews was held scoreless.
Schmaltz continues to improve with each game in the tournament. The North Dakota sophomore had his best game in the quarterfinal with a goal and two assist, which earned him U.S. player of the game honors. He has two goals and three assists in the tournament.
Forsling has two power play goals and one assist in five games for Sweden.
Neith coach has given word on their starting goaltender, and they have good options to choose from. Sweden’s Felix Sandstrom is perfect in two games, while Soderstrom has posted a .947 save percentage in five games. Alex Nedeljkovic has allowed six goals, including both goals against Russia. American backup net minder Brandon Halverson has posted a .973 save percentage in two appearances.
Lines:
Tkachuk-Matthews-White
Milano-Dvorak-Bjork
Hitchcock-Schmaltz-Boeser
Donato-Macinnis-Eansor
Werenski-Carlo
Belpedio-Borgen
Krys-McAvoy
Nedelikovic
Halverson
**Note: Lines will be updated when/if available.
How to Watch
When: 8 a.m. CT
Where: Hartwall Arena
TV: NHL-Network