PLYMOUTH, Michigan – The fourth day of games at the World Junior Summer Showcase featured the U.S. taking on Sweden in the second half of a Friday double-header behind Canada and Finland. 

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Sweden, which had been missing players earlier in the event due to late-arriving equipment, had more depth in this particular contest and it showed. With more of their top players available, they had much more to give offensively and gave USA's goalies fits. In the end, Sweden earned a 7-5 win over Team USA.

Here’s what you need to know from the penultimate day of action at the World Junior Summer Showcase from a Team USA perspective. 

Scoring Summary – Sweden 7, USA 5

USA Goals: Austin Burnevik, Joey Willis, Jayson Shaugabay, William Whitelaw, Teddy Stiga

Sweden Goals: Albert Wikman, Jack Berglund, Lucas Pettersson, Felix Nilsson, Theo Lindstein, Svante Sjodin, Victor Eklund

USA Lines, Defense Pairings And Goaltenders Vs. Sweden 

Joey Willis (NSH) – Jake Fisher (COL) – Jayson Shaugabay (TBL)
Austin Burnevik (ANA) – Brandon Svoboda (SJS) – Tanner Adams
Quentin Musty (SJS) – Chrise Pelosi (BOS) – William Whitelaw (CBJ)
Teddy Stiga (NSH) – LJ Mooney (2025) – AJ Spellacy (CHI)

Lukas Fischer (STL) – Matt Mania (LAK)
Andrew Strathmann (CBJ) – Gavin McCarthy (BUF)
Colin Ralph (STL) – Aram Minnetian (DAL)
John Whipple (DET) – Logan Hensler (2025)

Sam Hillebrandt
Carsen Musser (UTA)

USA Power Play Units

1: Strathmann, Shaugabay, Musty, Fisher Burnevik
2: Hensler, Whitelaw, Willis, Mooney, Stiga 

Sweden Lines, Defense Pairings And Goaltenders Vs. USA

Otto Stenberg (STL) - Jack Berglund (PHI) - Lucas Pettersson (ANA)
Mans Toresson - Felix Nilsson (NSH) - Victor Eklund (2025)
Isac Hedqvist - David Granberg - Svante Sjodin
Noel Nordh (UTA) - Zeb Forsfjall (SEA) - Melvin Fernstrom (VAN)

Theo Lindstein (STL) - Axel Landen (SJS)
Leo Sahlin Wallenius (SJS) - Kristian Kostadinski (BOS)
Axel Hurtig (CGY) - Albert Wikman (FLA)
Wilhelm Hallquisth

Melker Thelin (UTA)
Marcus Gidlof (NYI)

Sweden Power Play Units

1: Lindstein, Fernstrom, Stenberg, Forsfjall, Berglund
2: Sahlin Wallenius, Eklund, Nilsson, Hedqvist, Pettersson

USA vs. Sweden Scouting Reports

Theo Lindstein, D (STL)

You can really tell who the leader of this team and especially this blue line is. Lindstein took charge on his shifts, moved pucks well and scored a goal in the game. His ability to play under pressure with such poise is a standout trait for him. He has a really good first pass and has gained confidence in transporting pucks himself. He's one of the smarter players and can make an impact at both ends of the ice as his offensive skill continues to improve some. 

Otto Stenberg, LW (STL)

Stenberg is a real facilitator on the ice. He moves pucks quickly, efficiently and often makes positive plays. He's a threat in the offensive zone and can be dangerous in transition with his speed. He processes the game at a good speed, which is more noticeable in environments like this where the pace of the game is quite fast. He's a true playmaker who also brings a competitive attitude to every game and will work for his offense if he has to.

Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D (SJS)

The steadiness of his game and the way he plays is what will always impress me about Sahlin Wallenius's game. He makes it look easy and rarely makes mistakes. I can see him playing an outsized role for Sweden in December given how reliable he is. Sahlin Wallenius is a solid defender and appears to read the game at an expert level. There's not a lot of flash, but he makes pretty impressive plays over the course of the game.

Jack Berglund, C (PHI)

Berglund is a big man, which we already know. But he continues to excel at using that size to his advantage to create offense. He scored a net-front goal and was a disruptive player. He's so hard to knock off the puck and really seemed to get under Team USA's skin. At one point, Berglund caught a stick or puck up high and bled so much he had to replace his jersey, coming out with No. 29 for the third period. He's a tough customer and while I think he's still a work in progress, there's a lot to work with there.

William Whitelaw, RW (CBJ)

Whitelaw had some good flashes in the game where he showed his speed and skill, finishing with a goal and two assists. He's been a little inconsistent in camp, but today showed how he can be an effective offensive player. He scored on the power play and made some nice passes to the interior including on Teddy Stiga's late goal. If he can find that consistency, he's going to be a much tougher player to play against and he'll also make it harder for USA to leave him home. There's work to be done.

Logan Hensler, D (2025)

USA used Hensler on their more effective power play in this game. He moved pucks and made good decisions. I'd like to see him become a better shot threat from the point, but he was looking for some shooting options. Either way, Hensler showed his higher-end mobility. This was the most ice I think he's seen in camp and he made the most of it. He's going to be in tough to make the final roster because of some of the veterans they have, but I think he's keeping himself on the radar with how he worked in this particular game, which was not a great one for many of the USA players. 

Other News Notes And Observations

• USA goalies Sam Hillebrandt and Carsen Musser (UTA), who I'd term as on the bubble to make the U.S. allowed six goals on 18 shots, with one additional goal scored on the empty net. It was a tough game overall for the netminders, especially with Sweden having a fuller roster, but this was a tough outing for those guys.
• I liked the idea for USA to use a roster of mostly players on the bubble or -- more accurately -- likely on the outside looking in to see what they could do against a top team. The U.S. did fight back, but there was a clear quality gap for most of the game.
• Defenseman Tory Pitner (COL) has not played since he left a game early on Day 2. His status for Saturday is uncertain.
• USA will have its roster, likely mostly with players who played against Finland on Wednesday, compete against Canada on Sunday at 4 p.m. ET. Should be a great game.

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