Sweden blanks Canada, clinches top seed in Group A
Sweden continued its world juniors shutout streak against Canada on Friday, securing a 2-0 win to clinch the top seed in Group A.
Canada was unable to solve undrafted goaltender Hugo Havelid, who made 21 saves. Sweden has yet to allow a goal at the 2024 World Junior Championship through three games.
Defenseman Tom Willander opened the scoring for Sweden in the second period with a long-range wrister that beat Canadian goaltender Mathis Rousseau. Buffalo Sabres first-rounder Noah Ostlund doubled Tre Kronor's lead by tapping in a rebound less than 10 minutes later.
"Our first period was really good, then a couple lapses in the second," Canadian captain Fraser Minten said postgame. "They kinda pushed and got a couple chances and put them in, and then from there we were fighting it a little trying to claw back in and couldn't beat the goalie."
Canada had chances of its own, including a breakaway for Matt Savoie that didn't result in a shot on goal after he fumbled the puck. But Sweden played a structured defensive game, blocking plenty of shots and allowing few odd-man rushes.
Canada nearly had a glorious opportunity to get back in the game late in the third when Sweden's Zeb Forsfjall appeared to crunch Owen Beck into the boards from behind. Forsfjall was initially handed a five-minute major, but no penalty was called after a lengthy video review. Beck was initially forced to leave the game but soon returned to the bench.
With the result, Canada will face Czechia in the quarterfinals if it defeats Germany on New Year's Eve.