Keys For Team USA In Today's WJC Gold Medal Game

01/05/2024 at 11:26am EST

Consider this an open post for the game.

I am feeling worse today than yesterday so back to bed for me.

from Mike G. Morreale of the NHL's website,

The NHL Network will air every game of the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden.
That includes comprehensive coverage of the United States, which will play Sweden in the gold medal game at Scandinavium on Friday (1:30 p.m. ET). The U.S. earned the top spot in the tournament and won 7-2 against Latvia in the quarterfinals Tuesday, and 3-2 against Finland in the semifinals Thursday. Sweden advanced with a 5-2 win against Czechia in the semifinals.
Longtime NCAA hockey analyst Dave Starman, who will handle the broadcasts along with E.J. Hradek, Jon Rosen and Jon Morosi, has provided his three keys to victory for the U.S. before each of its games during the 11-day tournament....
Here are Starman's 3 keys to victory for the United States against Sweden:
1. Stopping at the start
"Goalie Trey Augustine (Detroit Red Wings) has to be better earlier. In an odd way of looking at it, the semifinal game as a favorite is a harder game to win than the big one at times, and I think Augustine, who settled in after allowing the second goal that gave Finland a 2-0 lead, will be great from the word go. Sweden is a highly gifted offensive team, but Augustine looked like a brick wall for 50 minutes against Finland. He's a difference-maker No. 1 in the game."

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Mark Masters of TSN on Team Sweden,

After years of heartbreak and coming up short in the playoff rounds, Team Sweden is getting a golden opportunity to change its World Juniors reputation.
"We talked a lot about that," said defenceman Axel Sandin Pellikka. "We have won two gold medals in like 45 years. It's special to get a chance to bring home the gold here on home ice, the third gold of all-time. It's a terrific opportunity. We'll do our best."
Sweden last stood atop the podium at the under-20 championship in 2012 when Mika Zibanejad scored the overtime goal to beat Russia in Calgary.
"That one we watched many times," said Sweden captain Liam Ohgren. "Maybe one of us is that hero tonight."
The opportunity is huge. The stakes are high.
"We have to break through," said head coach Magnus Havelid. "To play this final in front of our home crowd, our fans, that will help us educate, develop new players coming in. It's very important."

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