U.S. wins group despite loss, advances
BERN, Switzerland -- The United States blew a three-goal lead in the third period and lost 6-5 in overtime to Sweden on Wednesday at the ice hockey world championship.
However, a single point was enough for the Americans to win Group C and avoid facing Russia just 18 hours later in a second-round match on the same rink.
"To win the group is huge. We didn't want to play [Thursday]," U.S. coach Ron Wilson said.
Kristian Huselius of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets scored 1:59 into the extra period to secure the extra point, after the U.S. had led 5-2 with less than 12 minutes to play.
The U.S. trailed 2-1 early in the second period, but John-Michael Liles of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and Ryan Shannon scored on consecutive two-man advantages to put the U.S. in front. Shannon then made it 4-2 from the slot at 4:06 of the third, and Johnson made it 5-2 after capping a breakaway with a goal at 8:20.
"That's the best 10 minutes of hockey I've ever had a U.S. team play," said Wilson, who has coached at the Olympic, worlds and World Cup level. "We totally dominated. We relaxed once we got the three-goal lead.
"Maybe in another day or so we can play at 60-minute level. We get a day off tomorrow and our guys need that."
Sweden tied it less than 8 minutes later.
Magnus Johansson netted a loose puck from close range, Niklas Persson advanced on a slow rebound to score with a wrist shot, and Mattias Weinhandl beat Robert Esche to make it 5-5.
Jonas Gustavsson had 39 saves for Sweden, while Esche made 22.
Sweden will play Russia on Thursday, while the U.S. faces France on Friday.
In other games, Finland trailed 3-1 in the second period against the Czech Republic in Zurich but rallied for a 4-3 win and a three-game sweep of Group D.
Earlier in Zurich, Norway defeated Denmark 5-4 in overtime after trailing three times in a game to decide who advanced to the second round.
Norway defenseman Tommy Jakobsen scored 1:11 into overtime to send his team through and Denmark into the relegation group.
The Czech Republic led Finland 3-1 in the second after goals from Tomas Rolinek, Miroslav Blatak and Ales Kotalik offset an early score from Niko Kapanen.
But Ville Koistinen scored and Kapanen added a second to tie it going into the third period. Those two then assisted on Niklas Hagman's game-winner with 8 minutes remaining.
The Czechs will open the second round on Thursday against Canada. Finland plays Slovakia on Friday.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
