Kristian Huselius scored 1:59 into overtime, capping a Sweden rally from a 5-2 deficit for a 6-5 victory over the United States at the World Championships on Wednesday.
The point for a regulation tie was enough to clinch the top spot in Group C for the Americans, who play France on Friday in the qualification round opener.
The United States outshot Sweden 44-28, but Sweden got the only three shots of overtime.
After former Michigan State defenseman John-Michael Liles scored a 5-on-3 power-play goal to tie the game in the second period, the Americans reeled off three more goals to open up a lead.
Former Boston College forward Ryan Shannon scored on another 5-on-3 late in the second period and added an even-strength goal in third for a 4-2 lead.
Jack Johnson, a former Michigan defenseman, made it 5-2 with 11:40 remaining in the third period.
The Americans couldn’t hold the lead, however.
“We took our foot off the gas down the stretch and that cost us,” U.S. coach Ron Wilson said. “This is a game we’ll learn from as the tournament moves on. We did win our group and I’m proud of our guys for doing that.”
