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Sweden faced off against the USA in a thrilling Group B matchup in Trenčín. The Americans jumped ahead 2:0 after the first period, but Sweden battled back in the second. The third period was decisive—Sweden dominated, scoring three goals in three minutes to secure a 5:3 comeback win.
Penalties: 8:8. PP goals: 3:2. SH goals: 0:0.
Referees: Klejna, Novák – Jedlička, Durmis. Attendance: 1468.
Report
The game-opener came early when Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll stole the puck and wristed it in from the right circle. The U.S. kept pressing and in the 17th minute of their powerplay, Levi Harper doubled the lead with a shot to the right post.
Sweden were quick to respond in the second. Marcus Nordmark scored on a powerplay in the 23rd minute, but Blake Zielinski won back a two-goal lead for the North Americans just two minutes later. Bosse Meijer brought Sweden back to within a goal in the 38th minute and Isak Holtet nearly tied it moments later, but was denied by Smith’s left pad, ending the second period 3:2 to the USA
Sweden stormed into the third period with relentless pressure. In the 47th minute, Malte Gustafsson tied it. Seconds later, Mikael Kim gave Sweden the lead and a minute after that, Elton Hermansson added the insurance goal. No more goals followed and Sweden celebrated a dramatic 5:3 comeback victory in their second game of the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.