Gold was second to Sweden.
Jonathan Lekkerimäki won the points exchange for the under-18 World Championships. Stock image. AOP
The USA went to the World Championships in hockey under the age of 18 as a favorite against Sweden, but Småkronorna won the gold with 6-4 goals.
The match was exciting until the end. Sweden led the match with two goals in the third set, but the USA narrowed to 4-5 with just over three minutes left in the Game Clock.
Swedish Jonathan Lekkerimäki finished the final score to an empty goal in 59.29. In the final, Lekkerimäki collected four power points (1 + 3) and won the entire points exchange with powers of 5 + 10.
The US won the final shots as high as 51-15.
The World Cup gold was second to Sweden in the under-18 competitions, which have been held since 1999. The previous one came in 2019. Finland has won four golds in these reins (1999, 2000, 2016 and 2018). The US is at the top of the medal standings with 10 gold medals.
Earlier on Sunday, the Little Lions grabbed bronze by winning the Czech 4-1.