(Halifax) Chaz Lucius completed his hat trick in overtime as the United States beat Sweden 8-7 on Thursday to win the bronze medal at the World Junior Hockey Championship.
The Winnipeg Jets prospect hit the target in overtime when he fired a backhand shot that beat Swedish goaltender Carl Lindbom.
Lindbom had stopped Lane Hutson’s first attempt, but the return was not grabbed by a Sweden player. Lucius took it and allowed the Americans to win after they had let several advances slip away during the clash.
The United States had to play that bronze medal game due to a 6-2 loss to Canada on Wednesday night.
PHOTO DARREN CALABRESE, THE CANADIAN PRESS
USA players celebrate after scoring the winning goal in overtime, giving them the bronze medal.
“We weren’t very happy to have lost against Canada, but when we came out of the locker room on Wednesday, we thought there was a medal at stake,” USA captain Luke Hughes said. . It’s important to USA Hockey and to us as a team. We have given everything. »
Cutter Gauthier had two goals for the United States, which won its sixth medal in its last eight appearances at the World Junior Hockey Championship. Logan Cooley, Ryan Ufko and Hughes also found the back of the net.
“We didn’t want to be in this game, but overall it’s been a very memorable experience,” Lucius said.
Trey Augustine started the game for the United States and stopped 15 of the 20 shots he faced. In relief, Kaidan Mbereko yielded twice in 14 shots.
Filip Bystedt pulled the strings twice for Sweden, including the goal that forced extra time with 22 seconds remaining in regulation time. Oskar Pettersson, Leo Carlsson, Milton Oscarson, Liam Ohgren and Noah Ostlund also scored in the loss.
Lindbom allowed eight goals on 36 shots for Sweden.
It was a second straight overtime loss for the Swedes, who lost 2-1 to the Czech Republic in their semi-final on Wednesday.
Cooley opened the scoring after less than three minutes of play. It was his seventh goal of the tournament.
The locks were opened on both sides in the second period, as the United States held three two-goal leads, but returned to the locker room tied at 5-5.
Sweden took a 6-5 lead through Ostlund four minutes into the third period, but the lead only lasted 4:17. a low shot.
“We’re not losing this game,” Hughes shouted to his teammates on the bench as he celebrated the goal.
Gauthier looked to have given the Americans the win with just 97 seconds left in the third period, but Bystedt forced overtime.