USA defeats Canada 4-1 in world juniors NYE matchup, clinch 1st place in Group A

The United States defeated Canada 4-1 on New Year’s Eve in the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships to clinch first place in their group.

Cole Hutson, Danny Nelson, Cole Eiserman and Ryan Leonard, who scored an empty netter, capitalized for the Americans en route to the win. Bradly Nadeau scored Canada’s lone goal in the third period.

The loss dropped Canada to third place in Group A behind Finland and the USA.

Later Tuesday, Sweden finished first in Group B with a gritty 4-2 win over Czechia. Sweden won all four of its preliminary-round games.

The Canadians will next play Czechia, the reigning bronze medalists, in the quarterfinals. The Czechs eliminated Canada in the quarterfinals one year ago.

The USA will play Switzerland. The other quarterfinal matchups include Sweden versus Latvia and Finland versus Slovakia.