Team USA suffers defeat against Sweden in crucial 4 Nations game
- The United States lost to Sweden 2-1 in the round-robin finale of the 4 Nations Face-Off held in Boston.
- Despite Chris Kreider scoring early, Sweden rallied back to secure the victory with goals from Gustav Nyquist and Jesper Bratt.
- Team USA had already qualified for the championship game against Canada, while Sweden needed another result to have a shot at making the final.
In a dramatic round-robin finale of the 4 Nations Face-Off held in Boston, United States faced off against Sweden. The match took place on Monday night following a prior victory that secured the Americans a spot in the championship game against Canada. Team USA initially took the lead just 35 seconds into the game with a goal from Chris Kreider, but the advantage was short-lived. Sweden rebounded quickly with Gustav Nyquist scoring the equalizer and Jesper Bratt giving Sweden a narrow lead before the end of the first period. Despite controlling the play for the next two periods and outshooting Sweden overall, the Americans were unable to capitalize on their opportunities. Samuel Ersson, the Swedish goaltender, delivered a standout performance, making a total of 31 saves, preventing the U.S. from scoring in the second and third periods. The contest was charged with intensity, marked by passionate support from Boston fans, who chanted “U-S-A” as the clock wound down, but ultimately their efforts fell short. Although the outcome of the match was inconsequential for either team regarding their placement in the championship, it represented a significant moment in the tournament. Team USA had already secured its place in the final against Canada, an opportunity for redemption after a previous encounter in the round-robin stage. Sweden's hopes of entering the title match hinged on the performance of Canada against Finland, which concluded earlier in the day with Canada winning. With many notable players absent due to injuries or scratches, the Americans expressed hope for returning players as they prepare for the championship bout. Coach Mike Sullivan emphasized the competitive nature of the match and highlighted the anticipation for the rematch against Canada, underscoring both teams' star-studded lineups. The Americans will aim to regroup and come back stronger in the final as they seek to capitalize on their success from previous games in the tournament.