Wings’ Larkin, U.S. top Canada to win bronze at worlds
Copenhagen, Denmark — The United States topped Canada 4-1 to claim the bronze medal at the world ice hockey championship on Sunday.
Chris Kreider led the U.S. with two goals.
Forward Nick Bonino scored the winner on a rebound during a power play in the final period. Anders Lee and Kreider added empty-net insurance goals to give the U.S. its third bronze in six years.
“It’s important for the team but it’s also important for USA Hockey,” U.S. captain Patrick Kane said. “Now, we can build up off this level and try to keep being better and better.”
Kane had an assist in the game to finish the tournament with 20 points for eight goals and 12 assists, the first player to do so since 2008.
“Obviously I’m here to produce and try to create offense and make plays out there,” Kane said. “Overall, I’m happy … it was a fun tournament and a great experience for me and I hope it will help me with my career going forward too.”
Canada had to settle for a disappointing fourth-place finish.
“We wanted to win gold,” Canada forward Bo Horvat said. “We wanted to be in the final. It’s not a result we wanted. But we have to take the positives from this experience and bring it to next year.”
Kreider scored the go-ahead goal for the U.S. in the second period, capitalizing on a mistake by Canada captain Connor McDavid. The goal was assisted by Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin (Waterford) and Alex DeBrincat (Farmington Hills).
Canada answered with a Marc-Edouard Vlasic shot that went in between the pads of goaltender Keith Kinkaid.
Sweden plays Switzerland for gold later Sunday.
Captained by McDavid, the NHL scoring leader, Canada was considered a contender for gold.
Chasing its third title in four years, Canada suffered losses in the preliminary round to the U.S. and Finland and was stunned by Switzerland 3-2 in the semifinals.
The U.S. had a great start to the tournament with six straight wins. It knocked out the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals but was trashed 6-0 by Sweden in the semis.
Sweden wins gold medal
Sweden capped a victorious run through the ice hockey world championship by edging Switzerland 3-2 on Sunday in the final after a penalty shootout to successfully defend its title.
Forward Filip Forsberg scored the decisive goal in the shootout to give Sweden a third world title in six years, and 11th overall.
Sweden won all 10 matches at the tournament.
“We wanted to win the gold medal, and here we are,” Sweden forward Viktor Arvidsson said. “It’s unbelievable, especially for Filip (Forsberg). He’s a great player, one of our top players. It’s unbelievable to win with my teammates.”
Arvidsson, together with Nashville Predators teammates Forsberg and defenseman Mattias Ekholm, joined the Swedish team during the tournament after the Predators were eliminated from the NHL playoffs.
“We had the puck a lot,” Arvidsson said. “They did a great job defending.”
Sweden outshot Switzerland 38-27 but could not get the puck past goaltender Leonardo Genoni.
Switzerland finished runner-up for the third time after 2013 and 1935. It has never won.
“We battled hard … all the tournament long,” Switzerland defenseman Mirco Muller said. “Once you look at the bigger picture, it’s huge for Swiss hockey. But right now, there’s a disappointment. We definitely had our chances.”
Switzerland stunned Canada 3-2 in the semifinals after a 3-2 upset against Finland in the quarterfinals.
“They were close to winning the whole championship. So, credit to them,” Sweden forward Magnus Paajarvi said.
Gustav Nyquist wristed a shot from the slot high into the net for Sweden to answer the Swiss opening goal by Nino Niederreiter.
Timo Meier scored a second-period power play goal to restore the one-goal advantage for Switzerland in the second.
Mika Zibanejad equalized on a power play from the point, forcing overtime.