- The Americans dominated the Swedes 6-2 on their home ice in Gothenburg
- But for a moment that occurred after the promotion ended, they went viral
- provides the latest international sports news
Team USA's world junior hockey champions were praised on social media for their proud performance of the national anthem after winning the final.
In a viral clip on social media, the players can be seen standing together with their medals around their necks and holding up the stars and stripes on foreign soil.
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The clip also caught the attention of former U.S. women's international player Carli Lloyd, who tweeted a video of the players singing with the caption, “Awesome moment to see.”
Rapinoe and Co. made headlines for very different reasons at last summer's World Cup after many players remained silent throughout the anthem – which drew plenty of criticism from fans and analysts alike.
America's young hockey players have been praised for proudly singing the national anthem
It was a far cry from the U.S. women's soccer team at the World Cup in Australia
The Americans defeated the Swedes 6-2 on their home ice to win gold again
On Saturday, one fan wrote on social media about the hockey team: “I don't know a single one of these kids or their parents, but I respect them all immediately for this proud achievement. 'Thank you!'
Another, meanwhile, took aim at the USWNT, remarking: “This is how you celebrate when you represent America… and you're supposed to be the adults?” @USWNT'
In Friday's ice hockey final, Isaac Howard scored two goals in the second period and the United States defeated hosts Sweden 6-2 to win gold at the IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Gothenburg.
Boston College's Gabe Perreault, a 2023 first-round pick of the New York Rangers, had a goal and two assists.
Riley Gaines was one of those who praised the young hockey stars – and harshly criticized Megan Rapinoe
Soccer expert and former player Carli Lloyd praised the American players at the World Juniors
Rapinoe cries after the United States was eliminated from the World Cup last summer
BC's Ryan Leonard, the eighth pick of the Washington Capitals, and Zeev Buium, a top 2024 draft prospect who plays in Denver, each scored a goal and captain Rutger McGroarty had an empty-netter.
The Americans secured the U20 tournament for the sixth time after their last win in 2021.
“The boys played outstandingly,” said coach David Carle. “It's a joy for them. “They focused on coming to this game and doing their best in the last game of the tournament and I thought they achieved that. “It is a great honor to be part of a successful team.”
BC's Will Smith, the San Jose Sharks' No. 4 prospect, contributed two assists. McGroarty, a Winnipeg Jets prospect who plays at Michigan, also had an assist in a two-point performance.
Detroit Red Wings draft pick Trey Augustine – a teammate of Howard's at Michigan State – secured the victory in goal for the USA
A fight at the end of the game underlined the American's dominance in the tournament
In the end, the Americans stormed onto the ice and won their sixth gold medal
As the gold medal was confirmed toward the end of Friday's game, a fight broke out to put an exclamation point on the American's victory over the Swedes in Gothenburg.
At the 2022 U18 World Cup, the United States lost 6-4 to Sweden despite having a 51-14 lead. Players in this age group said they remembered that defeat like it was yesterday.
The Swedes, who lost to the United States in the bronze medal game last year, have now finished second in the tournament 12 times.
It is the sixth title for the United States – their second in four years.