Lucius completes the hat-trick in overtime as the United States will bring home bronze

It's the final day of the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship and the first game on the schedule saw Sweden and the United States battle it out in the bronze medal game.

Both teams lost in their semi-final games on Wednesday, with the United States losing to Canada, 6-2, while Sweden lost in heartbreaking fashion to Czechia.

Sweden was 39 seconds away from advancing to their first gold medal game since 2018, but the Czechs had other plans. David Jiricek tied the game, forcing overtime, before Jiri Kulich scored in the extra frame to send Czechia to their first gold medal game since 2001.

The United States scored the game's first goal just under three minutes into the first period. St. Louis Blues prospect Jimmy Snuggerud made a no-look pass while behind the Swedish net to Logan Cooley, who beat Carl Lindbom over the glove to make it 1-0 USA.

Logan Cooley capitalizes off the turnover to give USA a 1-0 lead 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/rfbxmEf0GM— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023

The United States extended their lead early in the second period. In the dying seconds of a powerplay, Nashville Predators prospect Ryan Ufko threw the puck on net from the point and it found its way through a crowd and just under the glove of Lindbom. 2-0.

USA's power-play strikes ⚡️

Ryan Ufko's shot finds the back of the net to give USA a 2-0 lead.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/uA9FhwmDqb— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023

Shortly after, the Swedes got one back. San Jose Sharks prospect Filip Bystedt received a pass from Jonathan Lekkerimaki and ripped it past the glove of Trey Augustine.

USA's power-play strikes ⚡️

Ryan Ufko's shot finds the back of the net to give USA a 2-0 lead.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/uA9FhwmDqb— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023

Just over a minute later, the United States restored their two-goal lead. Chaz Lucius was in on a breakaway and roofed the puck over the shoulder of Carl Lindbom. 3-1 USA.

Chaz Lucius answers for the Americans 1:33 after Sweden's goal to restore their two-goal lead.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/7pKBR8sRCt— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023

Nearly two minutes later, Sweden cut the United States' lead to one, once again. Oskar Pettersson scored his second of the tournament after skating in from the neutral zone with the puck, dancing around an American defender and placing a shot perfectly just under the bar.

Chaz Lucius answers for the Americans 1:33 after Sweden's goal to restore their two-goal lead.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/7pKBR8sRCt— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023

The goals continued as just over two minutes later, Leo Carlsson, a projected top-five pick in June's draft, fired a one-timer past Trey Augustine to tie the game up at 3-3.

THIS GAME IS TIED 🚨

Leo Carlsson rifles the one-timer by Augustine and it's a 3-3 game.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/4BJtuvAJpt— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023

The United States then regained the lead on the powerplay after Sweden was called for delay of game. Philadelphia Flyers prospect Cutter Gauthier rocketed a one-timer that went glove-side on Lindbom. 4-3 USA.

The US power-play strikes AGAIN ⚡️

Cutter Gauthier gives the Americans a 4-3 lead.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/iHUcrHNETZ— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023

Chaz Lucius then scored his second of the period with a little over six minutes remaining in the middle frame. The Jets prospect skated into the Swedish zone and beat Lindbom blocker-side, making it 5-3 USA. Lucius' goal marked the seventh goal in the period, scored within a span of 11:46.

Chaz Lucius puts on by Lindbom for his second goal of the period 🚨

There has been 7 goals scored in the last 11:46 😮#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/72x43C3r7A— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023

With just over a minute remaining in the second period, Sweden scored their fourth of the game. While on the powerplay, Milton Oscarson found the loose puck behind Trey Augustine and tapped it home to bring Sweden within one.

Carlsson feeds Stjernborg and Sweden is within one!

🇺🇸 5-4 🇸🇪#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/EUCkYmbIzo— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023

Just over 20 seconds later, the craziness continued. United States goaltender Trey Augustine came out to play the loose puck and passed it right to Swedish forward Liam Ohgren, who put it into the open net, tying the game at 5-5.

ÖHGREN TIES THE GAME AGAIN!

🇺🇸 5-5 🇸🇪#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/rLFUJ3PGMC— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023

To start the third period, the United States decided to make a goaltending change. After allowing five goals on 21 shots, Trey Augustine was pulled and Kaidan Mbereko came in.

Four minutes into the third period, Sweden took their first lead of the game. Noah Ostlund went behind the net with the puck, brought it out in front and ripped it top corner to make it 6-5 Sweden.

Noah Östlund gives Sweden their first lead of the game early in the 3rd period 🚨

🇺🇸 5-6 🇸🇪#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/lNdWbLjuCb— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023

The United States tied the game up with under 12 minutes remaining. Luke Hughes brought the puck into Sweden's zone, did a spin-o-rama, fell down and while laying on the ice, swept the puck towards the net and beat Lindbom five-hole. 6-6.

WHAT A GOAL FROM LUKE HUGHES TO TIE IT 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/DMVSTEZBo8— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023

While on the powerplay with less than two minutes to go in the third, the United States went ahead, once again. Following a scramble in front of the Swedish net, Rutger McGroarty jammed it in at the side, the puck hits off of Lindbom's pad and over the goal line. 7-6 USA.

Rutger McGroarty pokes one in to give USA the 7-6 lead 🚨

The goal is under review.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/yysLphvgA8— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023

After the puck was dropped, Sweden pulled Carl Lindbom for the extra attacker and with 21.4 seconds left, Filip Bystedt tapped it into the net off a broken play to tie the game at 7-7 and forcing overtime.

BYSTEDT TIES IT FOR SWEDEN WITH 21 SECONDS TO GO 🤯#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/iNKZcz5jWE— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023

In the extra frame, it was Chaz Lucius who completed the hat-trick, going forehand-backhand and over Lindbom's blocker to give the United States the 8-7 win to take home the bronze medal.

CHAZ LUCIUS, THE OVERTIME HERO!

TEAM USA WINS BRONZE 🥉#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/FBebrRrLYF— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023

Today's win marked the United States' seventh bronze medal in World Junior history and 14th medal in total. As for Sweden, it's an overtime heartbreak for the second time in as many days. Many of their players will be eligible to return when they host the tournament in December 2023.

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