The United States of America is back on top of the hockey world on Friday after defeated Sweden in the Gold Medal game at the World Junior Championship. It was a statement win by the Stars and Bars.
Not only did the Americans dominate the scoreboard, they took down the Swedes during an ugly display of sportsmanship from the losers in yellow and blue. A fight broke out in the the final moments.
If that wasn’t brutal enough, the United States took down Sweden in front of their home crowd on home ice.
You simply hate to see it! *shrug*
World Juniors, for those who don’t know, is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for U20 national hockey teams. This year’s tournament was held in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The United States came out of Group B and did not lose!
- USA 4 — Norway 1
- USA 11 — Switzerland 3
- USA 4 — Czech Republic 3 (shootout)
- USA 10 — Slovakia 2
- USA 7 — Latvia 2
After falling behind 2-0 to Finland in the semifinal game, the Americans battled back to win 3-2. They advanced to face the home team for a gold medal.
World Juniors Gold is coming back to the United States of America.
Friday could not have gone any better!
The United States opened the scoring in the first period. Both sides traded a pair of goals in the second.
And then the Americans put the nail in the coffin with three goals in the third period to win 6-2.
Sweden did not go out without a fight, literally, but it was an embarrassing effort. 6-foot-4 defenseman Anton Johansson had not played a shift in three games and came onto the ice while losing in the final minute. He immediately picked a fight with 5-foot-9 Boston University standout Lane Hutson.
Hutson did not drop his gloves to avoid a suspension but proceeded to throw bombs.
Johansson landed a few punches, sure. Great. Whatever.
Hutson, bloody lip and all, continued to chuck knucks— even after the officials tried to pull him off.
Johansson, the saltiest of the Swedes, got worked by an American more than six inches shorter than he. This all happened while Sweden was losing by four goals on home ice.
And Hutson continued to talk his talk!!
U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!