The United States got the revenge it so desperately craved.
Isaac Howard scored twice in the second period and the U.S. defeated 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 Washington Capitals' eighth pick, and Zeev Buium, a top 2024 prospect playing in Denver, each scored a goal and captain Rutger McGroarty had an empty-netter.
After the last victory in 2021, the Americans secured the under-20 tournament for the sixth time.
“The boys played great,” coach David Carle said. “It's a joy for them. They focused on getting to this match and playing their best for the last match of the tournament and I thought they did that. It is a great honor to be part of a winning team.”
BC's Will Smith, ranked No. 4 by 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 win in goal for the US.
The Americans lost 6-4 to Sweden at the 2022 under-18 world championship, despite having a 51-14 shot lead. Players in this age group said they remembered that loss like it was yesterday.
The Swedes, who lost to the US in last year's bronze medal match, have now finished second in the tournament twelve times.
The Czech Republic roared back from 5-2 down with six unanswered goals to shock Finland 8-5 and claim bronze.