Sweden Claims First Win but Falls Short of the Final |

The United States will face Canada in the final of the Four Nations Tournament after Sweden secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Team USA in the last game of the group stage.

Despite the win, the Swedes finished third in the standings and were already out of contention for a spot in the final before the puck even dropped.The Americans had already secured first place and a ticket to the championship game, where they will take on Canada on Friday, February 21, at 2:00 AM CET.

A Fast Start and a Swift Comeback

Team USA wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, striking just 35 seconds into the game. Zach Werenski drove down the right wing and fired a shot on goal, which Chris Kreider was perfectly positioned to tap into the net.

However, Sweden responded before the first intermission. In the 14th minute, Gustav Nyquist found the back of the net to level the score at 1-1. Then, with just seconds remaining in the opening period, Jesper Bratt netted what would ultimately be the game-winning goal, putting Sweden ahead 2-1.

A Goaltending Battle in the Final Two Periods

The remaining two periods saw both teams generate quality scoring chances, but neither side could break through. The goaltenders stood tall, turning away every attempt and keeping the scoreline unchanged until the final buzzer.

For Sweden, the victory was their first of the tournament after suffering two overtime losses in their previous matchups. Still, they knew in advance that they had no path to the final, having lost a crucial tiebreaker against Canada.

Meanwhile, Team USA had already locked in their spot after two straight wins, while Canada secured their place in the final with a 5-3 victory over Finland on Monday. The two North American powerhouses met earlier in the tournament, with the U.S. coming out on top 3-1.