Cutter Gauthier and Team USA faces off against hosts Sweden in the final of IIHF World Junior Championship 2024 at 19:30 hours in Scandinavium, Gothenburg.
Sweden finished atop their group with 10 points (3-0-1-0) ahead of defending champions Canada. Similarly, USA also finished first of their group with 11 points (3-1-0-0). The USA and Sweden eventually seeded 1 and 2 for the Playoffs.
Sweden defeated Switzerland 4-3 OT in the Quarter finals while USA steamrolled Latvia 7-2. After re-seeding, USA faced Finland whom they defeated 3-2. Sweden, on the other hand, defeated last year’s runners-up Czechia 5-2.
Cutter Gauthier has been remarkable in USA’s title chase with twelve points including a match winner against the Finns. Gavin Bradley has scored 6 goals and racked up 9 points. On the Swedish side, Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Noah Ostlund both have nine points each.
Hugo Havelid has the best SV% in the tournament followed by USA’s Trey Augustine.
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The United States will be chasing their sixth title, the last title coming in 2021. Meanwhile, the hosts Sweden last won the tournament in 2012 with Max Friberg.
Sweden has come closer in 2013, 2014, and 2018 before losing to USA, Finland, and Canada in the finals. Counting out combined total of Russia, CIS and Soviet Union, Sweden holds the record for most silver medals in WJC history.
