USA tops Sweden 4-3 after OT in an intense battle

USA had a tough job battling Sweden and got a 4-3 win after overtime.

In a penalty-laden special teams battle, Dylan Samberg scored at 1:37 of overtime to lift the US to capture first place and the top seed in Group A for Thursday’s quarter-finals.

Samberg accepted Carter Mazur’s centering pass from below the goal line and roofed it to keep the Americans unbeaten with 20 points.

🇺🇸 OT goal from @dsamberg26 🚨 @usahockey end the Preliminary Round at the 🔝 of Group A! USA are undefeated in the Preliminary Round for the first time at #IIHFWorlds

✍️Game recap: https://t.co/gPiTyYc5Yz pic.twitter.com/Qp2SwabME1

More on this topic:

Canada triumphs at 2023 World Championship with 5-2 win over Germany

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 23, 2023

The U.S. led 3-1 late in the third period, but the Swedes made a comeback, scoring twice in less than three minutes to send it to extra time.

This was the first loss for coach Sam Hallam’s Swedes, who finished the group stage with 18 points, including a 2-1 overtime win over host Finland.