In a thrilling conclusion to the 4 Nations Face-Off round-robin stage, Sweden rallied from an early deficit to defeat the United States 2-1 on Monday night at TD Garden. Despite the loss, the Americans had already secured their spot in Thursday’s championship game against Canada, while Sweden’s hopes of advancing were dashed earlier in the day when Canada defeated Finland.
The night began with a jolt of energy as Chris Kreider put the U.S. on the scoreboard just 35 seconds into the game, electrifying a Boston crowd adorned with powdered wigs and colonial-era tricorn hats. The fans patriotic fervor was a pointed response to Canadian crowds who booed “The Star-Spangled Banner” in earlier matchups in Montreal. Chants of “U-S-A!” echoed throughout the arena as the Americans made a desperate push in the final minutes, pulling goalie Jake Oettinger for an extra skater. However, Swedish netminder Samuel Ersson stood tall, making 31 saves to preserve the victory.
Sweden responded swiftly to Kreider’s opener, with Gustav Nyquist netting the equalizer 12 minutes into the first period. Jesper Bratt then delivered the game-winning goal with less than a minute remaining in the opening frame. The Americans dominated the shot count 32-23 but failed to find the back of the net in the final two periods, largely due to Ersson’s stellar performance.
The game had no impact on the tournament standings, with the U.S. already booked for the title game and Sweden needing a Canadian loss to have any chance of advancing. Nevertheless, the Swedes played with pride, showcasing resilience and determination in their comeback victory.
The Americans faced adversity beyond the scoreboard. Star forward Auston Matthews was unavailable, leaving the team shorthanded from the start. Their depth was further tested when Brady Tkachuk exited in the second period after a collision with Ersson in the crease. Adding to the disappointment for the Boston faithful, hometown favorite and Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy was a last-minute scratch from the lineup.
Despite the loss, the U.S. heads into the championship game with confidence, having defeated both Canada and Finland in their earlier round-robin contests. Thursday night’s final against Canada promises high drama, especially after their heated, fight-filled preliminary matchup, which became the most-watched non-Stanley Cup Final hockey game since 2019.
With North American pride on the line and a championship at stake, the U.S. and Canada are set for an electrifying showdown in Boston.
