U.S., Sweden will play for world junior gold

GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN >> The United States will face host Sweden for gold at the IIHF world junior championship.

The U.S. advanced to the tournament final after Cutter Gauthier scored on the power play with 3:13 left in the third period to beat Finland 3-2 on Thursday. The Philadelphia Flyers prospect’s goal came after the Americans erased a two-goal deficit in the semifinal game.

Sweden got there by beating the Czech Republic 5-2, led by Jonathan Lekkerimaki, who scored twice, including the go-ahead goal.

The U.S. lost to Sweden at the under-18 worlds in 2022 before the players of this age group got a measure of revenge in the 2023 rematch.