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U.S. Falls to Sweden, 1-0, at WJC

By USAHockey.com, 12/28/15, 9:30AM EST

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Team USA records 46 shots in loss

HELSINKI, Finland — The U.S. National Junior Team outshot Sweden, 46-23, but fell 1-0 here tonight in its second of four preliminary round games at the 2016 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship in Helsinki, Finland.

The U.S. is 1-0-0-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L) in the tournament and next faces Switzerland on Wednesday (Dec. 30) at 1 p.m. ET live on NHL Network.

"We did everything but score," said Ron Wilson, head coach of the 2016 U.S. National Junior Team. "We created opportunities and had 46 shots on goal but you have to give their goalie credit. We'll regroup and be ready for Wednesday."

After Alex Nedeljkovic (Parma, Ohio/Niagara IceDogs) was called on for a pair of saves early in the period with Sweden on the power play, the U.S. controlled play the rest of the period. The U.S. put 17 shots on goal and had three power play opportunities but was unable to convert.

Sweden scored the game's only goal 2:41 into the second period when Alexander Nylander converted on a mini breakaway. With 6:49 remaining in the period, Team USA had its best chance of the period to tie the game during a lengthy two-man advantage when Charlie McAvoy's (Long Beach, N.Y./Boston University) rebound attempt from the left circle was gloved by Sweden net minder Linus Soderstrom, who was down on the ice. The U.S. had another flurry of chances but could not capitalize and entered the third period with a 1-0 deficit.

Each team had seven shots on goal in an even third period and Soderstrom, who had 46 saves in the game, stopped all seven U.S. attempts. A late surge to tie the game fell short when late penalties left the U.S. shorthanded in the final minutes of the game. 

NOTES: Zach Werenski (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich./University of Michigan), who led all players in the game with six shots on goal, was named the U.S. Player of the Game ... The U.S. held Sweden scoreless in six power play attempts, while Team USA was 0-for-8 on the power play ...  For the complete box score, click here ... The U.S. is 1-0-0-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L) at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship … For more information on the 2016 U.S. National Junior Team, including a full roster, click here ... Use the hashtag #USAWJC on Twitter to join the conversation about the U.S. National Junior Team ... The U.S. is competing in a group with Canada, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland … All U.S. games will be broadcast live on NHL Network. For more information about the tournament, please click here

Check back for highlights from Team USA.

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Team USA Schedule

Date Opponent Location Result U.S. Player of the Game
Sat., Dec. 26 Canada Helsinki Ice Hall W, 4-2 Colin White
Mon., Dec. 28 Sweden Helsinki Ice Hall L, 0-1 Zach Werenski
Wed., Dec. 30 Switzerland Helsinki Ice Hall W, 10-1 Auston Matthews
Thu., Dec. 31 Denmark Helsinki Ice Hall W, 4-1 Brandon Carlo
Sat., Jan. 2 Czech Republic
Quarterfinals
Helsinki Ice Hall W, 7-0 Nick Schmaltz
Mon., Jan. 4 Russia
Semifinals
Hartwall Arena L, 1-2 Christian Dvorak
Tues. , Jan. 5 Sweden
Bronze Medal Game
Hartwall Arena W, 8-3 Anders Bjork

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