Switzerland and Sweden will contest the gold medal at the IIHF World Championships final Sunday.
Both sides recently completed 3-0 shutouts of their semifinals opponents. Sweden finished off Finland with a goal in each period. Every single point tallied in that game was registered by an NHL star. At the 10:33 mark of the first period, Dallas' Loui Eriksson scored while Vancouver Canucks' duo Henrik and Daniel Sedin assisted. The trio would connect in the second period to give Sweden a 2-0 lead. In the third Henrik Sedin would be the goal scorer with Eriksson and New Jersey's Henrik Tallinder providing the helpers. Buffalo goaltender Jhonas Enroth made 30 saves in the shutout effort.
Hours later, Switzerland pulled off a similar feat against a highly favored American side. After the United States destroyed Russia 8-3 in the quarterfinals, many thought that the US would be too strong for Switzerland. The Swiss continued to stun the world with a perfect defensive effort. New York Islanders' prospect Nino Niederreiter scored his fifth of the tournament in the second period to give Switzerland a 1-0 lead. In the third Julian Walker and Reto Suri each tallied to win the matches for Switzerland. Goalie Reto Berra made 29 saves in earning his first shutout of the tournament. Niederreiter and Suri lead Switzerland with five goals and three assists in nine matches.
Switzerland has never won the goal medal in the tournament's history. The Swiss have won one silver and eight bronze medals at the World Championships. Regardless of whether they win the game or not, Switzerland is earning its first medal in this tournament since 1953.
Meanwhile Sweden has picked up eight goals, 19 silvers, and 16 bronze medals in this competition. Sweden's last gold medal came in 2006 against the Czech Republic. They have won one silver and two bronze medals since then.
Prediction: Switzerland finishes the tournament with a perfect run and a 3-1 win.
Start Time: 2:30 PM EST
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