A third-period power play goal two days earlier kept the United States out of the gold-medal game at the World Championship.
On Sunday, another one kept the Americans from taking home a medal.
Carl Gunnarsson broke a 2-2 tie with 11 minutes remaining, and Sweden added an empty-net goal for a 4-2 victory.
Sweden claimed the bronze medal; the Americans finished fourth but moved up a spot to fifth in the world rankings.
“I thought our young team deserved a little better fate in the tournament,” U.S. coach Ron Wilson said. “We’re disappointed as we came here to win a medal, but our guys left it all out on the ice and that’s all you can ask.”
Former Michigan defenseman Jack Johnson and former Wisconsin center Joe Pavelski scored for the United States.
Sweden was 4-for-8 on the power play. On Friday, Russia broke a 2-2 tie with the U.S. thanks to a late power-play goal.
Russia claimed its second straight gold medal with a 2-1 victory over Canada.
