US beats Sweden 6-2 to win gold in the world junior championship

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USA players celebrate winning the IIHF World Junior Championship ice hockey final match between Sweden and USA at Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden, Friday Jan. 5, 2024. (Bjorn Larsson Rosvall/TT via AP)

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Sweden’s Anton Johansson, left, and USA’s Lane Hutson fight during the IIHF World Junior Championship ice hockey final match between Sweden and USA at Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden, Friday Jan. 5, 2024. (Bjorn Larsson Rosvall/TT via AP)

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Sweden’s Anton Johansson, left, and Liam Ohgren in action against USA’s Frank Nazar during the IIHF World Junior Championship ice hockey final match between Sweden and USA at Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden, Friday Jan. 5, 2024. (Bjorn Larsson Rosvall/TT via AP)

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Helmets and sticks on the ice after the IIHF World Junior Championship ice hockey final match between Sweden and USA at Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden, Friday Jan. 5, 2024. (Bjorn Larsson Rosvall/TT via AP)

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USA’s Ryan Leonard celebrates scoring a goal during the IIHF World Junior Championship ice hockey final match between Sweden and USA at Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden, Friday Jan. 5, 2024. (Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via AP)

GOTHENBURG, Sweden (AP) — The United States got the revenge it desperately craved.

Isaac Howard scored twice in the second period and the U.S. beat host Sweden 6-2 on Friday to capture gold at the IIHF world junior hockey championship.

Boston College’s Gabe Perreault, a 2023 first-round pick of the New York Rangers, had a goal and two assists. BC’s Ryan Leonard, the eighth pick of the Washington Capitals, and Zeev Buium, a top 2024 draft prospect who plays at Denver, each scored a goal and captain Rutger McGroarty had an empty netter.

The Americans secured the under-20 tournament for a sixth time after last winning in 2021.

“The guys played excellent,” coach David Carle said. “It’s a joy for them. They focused on getting to this game and playing their best for the last game of the tournament and I thought they did that. It’s a great honor to be a part of a winning team.”

BC’s Will Smith, the No. 4 pick of the San Jose Sharks, added two assists. McGroarty, a Winnipeg Jets prospect who plays at Michigan, also had an assist for a two-point performance. Detroit Red Wings draft pick Trey Augustine — a teammate of Howard’s at Michigan State — picked up the victory in goal for the U.S.

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The Americans fell 6-4 to Sweden at the under-18 worlds in 2022 despite holding a 51-14 shot advantage. Players from this age group said they remembered that loss like it was yesterday.

The Swedes, who lost to the U.S. in last year’s bronze-medal game, have now finished second 12 times in the tournament.

Czechia roared back from a 5-2 deficit with six unanswered goals to shock Finland 8-5 and claim bronze.

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AP hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/hockey