GOTHENBURG, Sweden – The U.S. National Junior Team will tangle with host Sweden here tonight in the gold-medal game of the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. Opening faceoff is set for 7:30 p.m. local/1:30 p.m. ET and the game can be seen live on NHL Network.

The U.S. has won five of its seven appearances all-time in the gold-medal game, including in 2021 when it beat Canada, 2-0, to clinch the top spot on the podium. Team USA and Sweden have met once previously in the gold-medal game, with the U.S. earning a 3-1 victory in 2013.

Team USA is the only squad in the World Juniors without a defeat and is coming off a 3-2 victory over Finland in yesterday’s semifinals. Sweden got by Czechia, 5-2, in the semis and has lost just once, that in a shootout to Finland in the final game of the preliminary round.

The U.S. and Sweden played in a pre-tournament game heading into the World Juniors back on Dec. 21 in Angelholm, Sweden, with Team USA rallying from a 2-0 deficit after one to earn a 5-2 victory. Cutter Gauthier had two goals and an assist in the contest, while Jimmy Snuggerud had a goal and two assists and Will Smith two goals.

“We came here to win a gold medal and we’re excited to have the opportunity to accomplish that goal,” said David Carle, head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team. “We’ve been treated extremely well during our time here and appreciate everything the tournament organizers have done. It should be a great game in a terrific environment and we know we’re facing an excellent Swedish team.”