Americans take bronze at world junior hockey championship by routing Sweden 8-3

HELSINKI – Anders Bjork, Matthew Tkachuk and Ryan Donato each scored two goals and the United States defeated Sweden 8-3 on Tuesday to win bronze at the world junior hockey championship.

Bjork and Tkachuk gave the Americans a two-goal lead, but Sweden pulled even before the end of the opening period on goals by William Lagesson and Carl Grundstrom.

The U.S. pulled away with a four-goal second period as Brock Boeser, Donato, Brandon Carlo and Bjork scored.

“We played a good game today and overall a strong tournament so it’s definitely something to be proud of,” Bjork said.

Donato and Tkachuk added goals in the third period.

“Sweden’s such a great team and they’re so sound defensively,” Donato said.

“If you told me before the game that this was going to be the score, I would say: ‘No way’ But obviously we played really hard and it paid off,” he said.

Alex Nedeljkovic made 35 saves for the United States.

“I think we had a pretty good tournament, we came here to win gold, but unfortunately that didn’t happen,” Nedeljkovic said. “Bronze, I guess, is the third-best thing. Better than going home empty-handed.”

The United States had a quick turnaround after losing to Russia 2-1 in the semifinals on Monday.

“It shouldn’t be difficult at all to motivate yourself to play,” Nedeljkovic said. “It’s an honour to be able to wear the USA jersey. I was happy that we were able to come away with a win.”

Axel Holmstrom had the other goal for the Swedes, who outshot the Americans 38-29.

Russia was scheduled to play host Finland in the championship game later in the day.