The United States’ three-peat bid had a setback as it lost for the first time at the world junior hockey championship.
The USA was unable to handle Sweden’s speed or special teams in a tough second period and lost 6-3 on Wednesday, Dec. 31. As a result, Sweden won Group A and will face Latvia in Friday’s quarterfinal. The USA will have a tougher opponent in Finland or Czechia.
Coach Bob Motzko went with 17-year-old Brady Knowling in net and he looked good in allowing only one Sweden goal in the first period. The second period was a different story as Sweden capitalized on chances off the rush.
Eddie Genborg had two power play goals and Lucas Pettersson also scored twice, once while short-handed, for a 5-1 lead.
Notre Dame’s Nick Kempf replaced Knowling in net at the start of the third period and could end up being the USA goalie for the quarterfinal.
The USA got goals from Chase Reid, Will Zellers and Teddy Stiga to pull within 5-3. But potential top draft pick Ivan Stenberg scored on a two-man advantage for a 6-3 lead.
“We have to clean up the turnovers and that’s something we’ll focus on as we get set for our quarterfinal game,’ Motzko said.
The USA, which had beaten Germany, Switzerland and Slovakia earlier in the tournament, were playing without top defenseman Cole Hutson. He’s day-to-day after being hit by a puck and leaving the ice on a stretcher in the Switzerland game. Injured Max Plante also missed the game and is day-to-day.
Canada vs Finland
USA TODAY will also provide updates on Canada vs. Finland, which will determine the U.S. opponent and three quarterfinal matchups.
Canada restores two-goal lead
Cole Beaudoin scores his second of the game, tipping in a pass from Sam O’Reilly. Canada 6, Finland 4
Third period underway
5-4 Canada.
Canada-Finland score after two periods
Canada leads 5-4. If this holds up, Canada will win Group B and face Slovakia, Finland will finish third and face the USA. Czechia would face Switzerland.
Finland quickly responds
Roope Vesterinen takes advantage of a turnover to pull Finland within a goal. Canada 5, Finland 4
Canada goes up by two
Cole Beaudoin gives Canada a two-goal lead with less than three minutes left in the second period. Canada 5, Finland 3
Canada goes ahead
Zayne Parekh finds Tij Iginla with a long up-ice pass, and the forward scores on a breakaway. Canada 4, Finland 3
Canada-Finland score after one period
It’s 3-3. Brady Martin scored his second goal of the game to give Canada a 3-2 lead. But Finland’s Lasse Boelius tied it up. Canada’s Carter George and Finland’s Petteri Rimpinen are in net.
USA vs Sweden highlights
Up next for the USA
That’s not known yet. It will depend on the Finland-Canada score in the late game. If Canada wins, the USA will face Finland, its opponent from the 2025 final. If Finland wins, the USA will face Czechia. Canada was leading 2-1 after five minutes of the first period, though Finland just tied it up. We’ll keep you posted on that score.
Sweden will face Latvia.
Players of the game
USA’s Will Zellers and Sweden’s Lucas Pettersson.
Final score: Sweden 6, USA 3
The USA suffers its first loss of the tournament. Sweden improves to 4-0 and will face Latvia in Friday’s quarterfinal. The USA will face either Czechia or Finland.
USA pulls goalie
They have a two-man advantage with Sweden’s Sascha Boumedienne in the penalty box for delay of game. Penalty is killed.
Four minutes left
6-3 Sweden. 40-27 lead in shots by Sweden.
USA power play
Leo Sahlin Wallenius is called for interference. Sweden kills the penalty. Less than nine minutes left.
Sweden scores on power play
Sweden moves the puck around well, and Ivar Stenberg scores with one second left on the two-man advantage. USA kills off the rest of the second penalty. Sweden 6, USA 3
Sweden two-man advantage
AJ Spellacy is called for an illegal check to the head of Sweden’s Lucas Pettersson, who was shaken up on the play.
Team USA injury, penalty
Luke Osburn skates off the ice after being checked into the referee. He’s also called for delay of game for putting the puck over the glass. He’s able to serve the penalty.
USA strikes quickly on power play
Teddy Stiga scores on a deflection 16 seconds into the power play. LJ Mooney and Ryker Lee get the assists. Sweden 5, USA 3
USA power play
Lucas Pettersson is called for interference.
Third period underway
5-2 Sweden. If this holds up, the Swedes would win Group A and face Latvia.
USA goalie change
Nick Kempf is in net for the third period.
End of second: Sweden 5, USA 2
Not a good period by the USA and a great one by Sweden. The Swedes showed a lot of speed in that period and didn’t let up after the USA cut its deficit to 3-1. Eddie Genborg and Lucas Pettersson scored twice in the period. But the USA got a late goal and trail by three heading into the third period.
USA save
Brady Knowling stops Lucas Pettersson on a breakaway, preventing him from getting a hat trick.
USA responds with a goal
Will Zellers scores his fifth goal of the tournament. Sweden’s Love Harenstam stops James Hagens’ initial shot and Brodie Ziemer’s rebound but can’t stop Zellers. Sweden 5, USA 2
Sweden making it a rout
Sweden connects again on the power play. Eddie Genborg scores his second man-advantage goal of the game. Sweden 5, USA 1
Sweden power play
Logan Hensler is called for interference
Sweden scores short-handed
The USA turns over the puck and Lucas Pettersson skates down the ice and scores from almost the same as he did on the third goal. Sweden 4, USA 1
USA power play
Goalie Love Harenstam is called for embellishment. He falls exaggeratedly after Will Zellers makes light contact.
Midway through second period
Score is 3-1 Sweden. Shots are 15-15.
Chase Reid scores for USA
The USA gets several chances late in the power play and the puck comes back to Chase Reid, who scores on a snap shot. Sweden 3, USA 1
USA power play
Eric Nilson is called for tripping. The USA scored its lone two power play goals of the tournament in the last game against Slovakia.
Sweden scores again
Sweden gets a second consecutive goal off the rush. Lucas Pettersson scores on a perfect shot from the right faceoff circle. Sweden 3, USA 0
Sweden adds to lead
Eddie Genborg takes a pass from Liam Danielsson and beats Brady Knowling, who nearly got over in time. The puck goes in and out so fast that it wasn’t called a goal right away. Sweden 2, USA 0
Sweden power play
Ryker Lee is called for goaltender interference.
Sweden saves
Love Harenstam has made a couple saves off his mask in this game.
Second period underway
1-0 Sweden.
End of first: Sweden 1, USA 0
USA had a few flurries and Ryker Lee was stopped in front after stealing a puck, but Sweden played pretty well defensively to keep the U.S. off the scoreboard. USA goalie Brady Knowling, 17, also played well. Sweden’s goal went in off a U.S. defenseman’s skate. Shots are 10-10.
Sweden scores first
Sweden’s Casper Juustovaara gets a good bounce when his pass through the crease goes in off USA defenseman Logan Hensler’s skate at 9:17. This is the second consecutive game in which the USA has allowed the first goal. Sweden 1, USA 0
Scoreless so far
USA hits the post. Shots are 3-3.
Game underway
Goalie matchup is USA’s Brady Knowling, a 17-year-old, vs. Sweden’s Love Harenstam.
What channel is USA vs. Sweden world juniors hockey game today?
TV channel: NHL Network
Livestream: Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers, or Sling TV.
Watch world junior championships on Fubo
What time is USA vs. Sweden world juniors hockey game today?
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 31
Time: 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time)
The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time) at the Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the home of the Minnesota Wild.
World juniors USA vs Sweden: How to watch, stream
Time: 6 p.m. ET on Wedneday, Dec. 31
Location: Grand Casino Arena (Saint Paul, Minnesota)
TV: NHL Network
Streaming: Fubo and certain levels of Sling TV carry NHL Network.
Today’s world juniors hockey schedule
All times p.m. ET
Dec. 31
- Switzerland 3, Slovakia 2: Loris Wey and Mike Aeschlimann scored power-play goals after Tobias Tomik received a double minor for high sticking in the first period. Kevin Haas’ second period goal ended up being the game-winner as Slovakia scored twice in the last 13 minutes. Switzerland finishes third and Slovakia fourth in Group A. The Swiss will face the Canada-Finland loser and Slovakia will face the winner.
- Czechia 4, Latvia 2: Vaclav Nestrasil had a goal and an assist as Czechia moved up to second in Group B. They would fall back to third if Finland beats Canada in the late game.
- USA vs. Sweden, 6
- Canada vs. Finland, 8:30
Brady Knowling starting for USA
The 17-year-old plays for the U.S. National Team Development Program.
USA, Sweden lineups
USA vs Sweden history
The USA and Sweden are meeting for the 38th time in the tournament. The Americans have won 19 times to Sweden’s 17, with two ties. The U.S. has won seven of the last 10 games and beat Sweden 6-2 in the 2024 gold-medal game.
Max Plante injury update
USA forward Plante will miss the Sweden game with an undisclosed injury. He’s listed as day-to-day.
Cole Hutson injury update
Hutson, who has been out since the Switzerland game after he was hit in the head by a shot, has been ruled out of the Sweden game. He remains day-to-day.
USA players to watch
Will Zellers leads the USA with four goals and six points. He has the game-winning goal in the first three games. James Hagens (Bruins), AJ Spellacy (Blackhawks) and Brodie Ziemer (Sabres) have four points apiece.
Sweden players to watch
Blackhawks prospect Anton Frondell has three goals and five points. He was drafted No. 3 overall in 2025. Viggo Bjorck, eligible for the 2026 NHL draft, also has three goals. Ivar Stenberg, who’s challenging to be the top of the draft, has a goal and two assists.
