Kieffer Bellows and Brady Tkachuk (Boston University) both scored, but the U.S. National Junior Team fell to Sweden 4-2 Thursday night in its semifinal game of the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Forward Josh Norris (Michigan) was named U.S. player of the game, while Bellows, Casey Mittelstadt (Minnesota) and defenseman Adam Fox (Harvard) were chosen the top three players at the tournament for Team USA.
“This was a tough night for us but I thought we fought to the very end,” said Team USA coach Bob Motzko (St. Cloud State) in a statement. “Fortunately, this tournament isn’t over. There’s still a medal at stake and I know our guys are going to be ready to make our country proud.”
United States goalies Joseph Woll (Boston College) and Jake Oettinger (BU) combined to stop 16 shots.
Team USA will play in the bronze medal game Friday against the Czech Republic. The game is set for 4 p.m. EST at KeyBank Center.
