STOCKHOLM – Apparently there were a handful Swedes who had full confidence in their team before Sunday’s final. One of them was Carl XVI Gustaf. The real king of Sweden.

“I was pretty calm,” His Majesty told the players when the newly-crowned world champions paid a visit at the Royal Palace in central Stockholm just 12 hours after they had beat Switzerland 5-1 in the final.

As the team presented the royal family with an autographed sweater, the players probably already heard the Poodles play their official tournament song - “En för alla för en”, or “one for all for one” - in the background because meanwhile, thousands and thousands of people gathered in Kungsträdgården, a recreational park that can be seen from the castle.

Kungsträdgården, “King’s garden” has in recent years become the new place for such events. Back in 2006, when Sweden won both the Olympic gold and the World Championship, the Olympic team had their parade end at Medborgarplatsen, a square on the south side of town, and the World Champions in Kungsträdgården.

The stage has been ready every year, but for seven long years, it’s stayed empty, sadly overlooking the two lines of Japanese cherry trees that surround the park. Except for that one night in January in 2012, when the under-20 team celebrated their World Junior Championship out in the cold.

But on Monday, the sun was out, the cherry trees had bloomed and were already mostly green, with a shadow of pink still remaining there. Above the stage there was a big sign that said, “WORLD CHAMPIONS”, in Swedish.

Not many experts had believed in the team before the tournament, and they did stumble in the early rounds. They lost to Switzerland, and they lost to Canada, and they squeaked by both the Czech Republic and Belarus, winning both games 2-1. In fact, Sweden scored only 17 goals in their seven preliminary round games, fewest of the four teams that advanced to the playoff stage.

But they did score four in their last preliminary round game, which was also the first with Daniel and Henrik Sedin on the team.

Sweden scored 14 goals - and one in the shootout in the game against Canada - in its four games with the Sedins. Henrik and Daniel were the architects for ten of them, including eight of the team’s ten goals in the three playoff games.

“We watched a game on TV back home [in Vancouver], and what we saw was a hard working team in which everybody worked for each other. That’s the kind of team we love to play for,” Daniel Sedin told Aftonbladet before the final.

There they were, wearing the yellow sweaters, lifting the cup, just to hear the crowd roar. So many of them finally getting their due, their day in the sun. There were the Sedins, while Olympic champions from 2006, still somewhat unappreciated in their home land, because they’ve had the big three - Sundin, Forsberg, Lidström - in front of them.

There was Staffan Kronwall, the brother of Niklas, who was the team captain, and led his boys to a wild song and dance number on stage, and there was Joel Lundqvist, the hard-working brother of Henrik, and the only one of the 2013 team who had been on the Kungsträdgården stage in 2006.

And there was Pär Mårts, the head coach of Team Sweden, who finally got the gold medal that has eluded him in his years behind the national team benches. And with it he got a car from Skoda, the long-time official main sponsor of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.

Two years ago he took his team to the World Championship final - but lost to Finland - and before that, he led the U20 national team to two silver medals and one bronze.

This time, Mårts was a winner.

“There’s no better place to get that gold medal than at home,” he said.

“We’ve felt a great unity in the group since day one, when we got to together in April. The spark was ignited, and the fire has burned since then. We’ve always believed in each other,” he added.

Mårts also noted that adding the Sedins to the team didn’t disrupt anything, as “the boys have been brought up in the Swedish system”.

In the end, it was the Swedish system that came through, and came out on top. Good defence, excellent goaltending from Jhonas Enroth, a team that pulled together. And a couple of twins from Örnsköldsvik, the heartland of hockey.

The World Championship final gathered an estimated three-million people TV audience. So did the Eurovision Song Contest from Malmö, Sweden, on Saturday. While the two audiences aren’t mutually exclusive, it’s safe to say the entire country came together on Monday, when Robin Stjernberg walked onto the stage with the championship team, and performed Sweden’s entry to the ESC: “You.”

The crowd was dancing, and the players were hopping, as Stjernberg hit all the high notes:

“Isn’t it crazy, yeah, isn’t it crazy? It’s all because of you-uu, all because of you-uuuooh.”

The home-ice ghost was nowhere to be seen.

RISTO PAKARINEN

As the dust settles and Sweden recovers from the World Championship party, hockey fans still have a chance to get their hands on a piece of hockey history.

The 2013 IIHF Hall of Fame ceremonial jerseys are still up for auction, with ten hours remaining until the bidding closes. All jerseys were worn and signed by the inductees and the proceedings will go to a charity of their choice.

You can view the jerseys on one page by clicking here and scrolling down or by clicking on their names there.

STOCKHOLM – Switzerland scored first, but hosts Sweden dominated the last 55 minutes to become the first home team to win gold since 1986. It is the nation's ninth World Championship gold medal.

Videos: Highlights, Post-Game Interviews

For the Swiss, it was their first loss of the tournament after nine straight wins and only their second silver medal ever after finishing runner-up in 1935, their highest finish at any IIHF international hockey event.

"We’re disappointed about the game," said Switzerland coach Sean Simpson. "We lost it, and we won nine games before. Not many people believed before the tournament that we would play in a World Championship final. I’m very proud of the work our team has done and about the silver medal. Switzerland has to be proud of this team. This team is a role model with its willingness, character and energy. What we did for Swiss hockey is a sensation. To be so close to the world title is super. We’ll try it again."

"We were able to match their intensity at the start," said Swiss defenceman Philippe Furrer. "We had a lot of chances but couldn't score, and they did."

Henrik Sedin led the offence with two goals and an assist. Goalie Jhonas Enroth was excellent, stopping 26 of 27 shots. He was named IIHF Directorate Award winner as Best Goalie.

"It was a tight game," Henrik Sedin said. "It could have gone either way, I felt. It was lucky we got our first two goals pretty quickly after their first one. After we scored our third, it felt pretty calm on the bench."

"We had a really good start," said goalie Martin Gerber. "We were confident, but then out of the blue they tied it up and then we had some penalties. We got lost for a while and had a hard time getting back on track."

"It's an unbelievable feeling. You can't put it into words," said Henrik Tallinder. "As soon as we got our legs and got that first goal, I thought we controlled the game pretty well."

"To win the last game of the season and World Championship gold is amazing," said Joel Lundqvist. "Switzerland was awesome the whole tournament. We didn't start the way we wanted, but when we got the Sedins, they played great."

The Swiss came out with determination and an effective forecheck and had the puck in Sweden’s end for most of the first five minutes, until they scored. It was the ninth time in ten games that they got the early lead.

Indeed, Switzerland had trailed for only 14:25 of play (5:39 vs Canada, 8:46 vs Slovenia) the entire tournament.

Roman Josi got things started at 4:45 when he eluded a lax check from Loui Eriksson at the blue line and cut in on goal, backhanding the puck along the ice past Enroth for the early 1-0 lead.

Sweden tied the game at 8:42 on the team’s first shot on goal. Erik Gustafsson found a rebound in front of a crowded crease and snapped a shot past Martin Gerber, who had lost sight of the puck. The game was on.

"I wasn't sure where to go exactly," said Gustafsson, "but the goal felt a little bit like a turning point. They caught us on our heels in the first ten minutes, but after we scored we were in the driver's seat."

The Swedes then went ahead at 11:38 on the power play, the most potent part of their game. Henrik Sedin batted the puck out of midair in the crease to give the home side a 2-1 lead.

The second period started out strategically as the Swedes went into their tight-checking system while the Swiss refused to be baited into gambling to create scoring chances.

But a power play for Switzerland midway through the period, its first of the game, resulted in renewed energy. Enroth made a great save off a one-timer in the slot by Ryan Gardner, but the Swiss kept pressing for the tying goal to no avail.

The Swiss had another excellent opportunity to tie the game early in the third courtesy of a Johan Fransson penalty, but their shooting was off and Enroth unflappable under pressure.

Soon enough, the Swedes broke the game open. Simon Hjalmarsson scored off a giveaway by Julien Vauclair at his blue line. Gabriel Landeskog took the puck to the net and Hjalmarsson jammed it in before Mathias Seger could check him.

Eriksson put the game away when a point shot went in off his skate. Video review decided there was no distinct kicking motion, so the goal stood.

Coach Sean Simpson pulled Gerber with three and a half minutes remaining, and a Sweden penalty gave the Swiss a two-man advantage. Henrik Sedin, however, scored into the empty net to seal the victory.

"To be honest," said Landeskog, "I don’t think I even know right now what we’ve accomplished. We’re standing here talking about it, but we don’t know what we’re going through right now. Maybe in a few years down the road, or after our careers, we’ll be able to sit back and think about this. I didn’t think I’d be standing here at 20 years old with this gold medal around my neck."

ANDREW PODNIEKS

STOCKHOLM – Switzerland’s Roman Josi won three honours at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. The Nashville Predators defenceman was Most Valuable Player, Best Defenceman and selected for the All-Star Team.

Josi became the first Swiss player ever to earn MVP honours and an award at an IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. He led all defencemen in scoring with four goals and five assists in ten games. He’s joined on the defence of the All-Star Team by fellow countryman Julien Vauclair.

Jhonas Enroth was selected Best Goalkeeper by the tournament directorate and also made the All-Star Team. He was among the most used goalkeepers with 418:29 minutes. He led the goalie stats in save percentage (95.63%) and goals against average (1.15).

Finland’s Petri Kontiola was named Best Forward and is joined on the All-Star Team by Team USA’s Paul Stastny and Sweden’s Henrik Sedin. Kontiola was the World Championship’s scoring leader. In ten games he scored eight goals and as many assists.

Individual Awards as selected by the Tournament Directorate
Best Goalkeeper: Jhonas Enroth, Sweden
Best Defenceman: Roman Josi, Switzerland
Best Forward: Petri Kontiola, Finland

All-Star Team selected by the media
GK: Jhonas Enroth, Sweden
DE: Roman Josi, Switzerland
DE: Julien Vauclair, Switzerland
FW: Petri Kontiola, Finland
FW: Paul Stastny, USA
FW: Henrik Sedin, Sweden
MVP: Roman Josi, Switzerland

STOCKHOLM – After making the gold medal game, Sweden moved from fourth to first place in the 2013 IIHF Men’s World Ranking. The Swedes are followed by Finland, Russia, the Czech Republic and Canada.

Click here for the 2013 IIHF Men’s World Ranking
Click here for the 2013 IIHF Women’s World Ranking

Sweden made the biggest move among the top-20 nations by climbing up three places. Finland remains in second place while last year’s leader Russia fell to third place after being eliminated in the quarter-finals by Team USA. The Czechs, also eliminated in the quarter-finals, dropped to fourth place.

Canada remains in fifth place followed by the United States, who improved by one, and Switzerland, which went up two positions in the new World Ranking at the expense of Slovakia (from 6th to 8th) and Norway (from 8th to 9th).

The positions of Germany (10th), Latvia (11th) and Denmark (12th) remain untouched, while France (now 13th) and Belarus have (now 14th) swapped places.

The only team other than Sweden that went up three places was Korea. The host nation of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games went from 28th to 25th place after establishing itself in the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I Group A, which the country will host next spring in Seoul. Korea finished a record-high 21st place overall in this year’s World Championship program.

With the new World Ranking, the tentative groups for the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Minsk, Belarus, have become known.

The seeding for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, is already known since February and is based on the 2012 IIHF World Rankings.

Tentative Groups 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship

Group A: Sweden (1), Czech Republic (4), Canada (5), Slovakia (8), Norway (9), Denmark (12), France (13), Italy (18, promoted).

Group B: Finland (2), Russia (3), USA (6), Switzerland (7), Germany (10), Latvia (11), Belarus (14), Kazakhstan (16, promoted).

Olympic men’s ice hockey tournament

Group A: Russia (1), Slovakia (6), USA (7), Slovenia (18)
Group B: Finland (2), Canada (5), Norway (8), Austria (15)
Group C: Czech Republic (3), Sweden (4), Switzerland (9), Latvia (11)

Olympic women’s ice hockey tournament

Group A: Canada (1), USA (2), Finland (3), Switzerland (4)
Group B: Sweden (5), Russia (6), Germany (8), Japan (11)

MARTIN MERK

STOCKHOLM – History will be written today when either Sweden will end the home-ice curse or Switzerland will become World Champion for the first time.

The Swiss national team is, of course, aiming for the second goal. The Swiss have had a historic and unexpected run with nine straight victories. And they have no plans to stop upsetting big hockey nations.

They reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1998. By defeating the United States 3-0, they have at least equalled their best-ever placement to date, silver in 1935.

“We skated hard and stuck to the system and showed desire to win the game and to do something for Swiss hockey and for Switzerland itself,” head coach Sean Simpson said.

“We have seen many good games at this tournament, but in the semi-finals it was very special. It shows the willingness and character of this team. You can go through the whole line-up and behind every name is a great performance in this tournament.”

Ueli Maurer, the President of the Swiss Confederation, travelled to Stockholm to witness history and congratulated coach Sean Simpson after the game. Never before has a Swiss team in any major team sport performed with such an impressive record.

“What happened today is of historic dimensions for Switzerland,” Maurer told him after the press conference.

Maurer stayed away from the locker room before the final, but wants to congratulate the players personally afterwards – preferably for the gold medals.

“We prepared well, we have a good team and we had a good start. We got the best out of our team,” Simpson said after the semi-final.

“I think the people in Switzerland are very proud of us, and I hope we can make them even prouder.”

Simpson didn’t have an easy time before the start of the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship though.

He took over a team in April 2010 that had been coached by Ralph Krueger for 13 years and was coming off a good outing at the Vancouver Olympics. Expectations were high since Simpson had led the ZSC Lions Zurich to the European club championship one year earlier.

This year the expectations in the Swiss media were rather modest, as the national team had missed the quarter-finals – usually regarded as the dividing line between a good and a bad result in Swiss hockey circles – two years in a row. It was speculated that Simpson couldn’t afford to place outside the top eight nations again.

Now he doesn’t have to worry about his job.

Here, much like with Zurich in 2009, he has eventually found the right mix between up-and-coming players and national team legends, between defence and offence. When he made his final cuts before the World Championship not everybody agreed with him, but the critics have been silenced with each win in Stockholm.

The British-born Canadian coach, who considers himself almost Swiss after having played and coached there since the ‘80s, is a perfectionist. It was his mentor Andy Murray who transferred him from Salzburg to Zurich during the 1984-85 season as a backup for legendary Czech player Milan Novy. Simpson didn’t play a single game in his first stint in Switzerland, and Murray gave him his car to scout other teams. It was his first inspiration for his later coaching career, and he would return to Switzerland four years later.

Simpson’s great skill is analyzing opponents and finding the right recipes for each game. They haven’t always worked, but 2013 appears to be the year for the Swiss.

“The difference between having success at this tournament or not is very small. We didn’t find the way to win some games last year and this time we found them,” Simpson said.

“It’s a two-week deal. If everybody believes things can happen, they can happen.”

His methods can be unique at times. For instance, how often have you seen rotating goalkeepers from the first game in the preliminary round until the last game in the knockout stage? Simpson put Martin Gerber into the net in the quarter-finals against the Czechs and stuck with his pattern. He let Reto Berra play in the semi-finals against the U.S., and will bring back Gerber in the gold medal game. So far it has worked very well. Both netminders have been impressive.

The Swiss national team has ticked, ticked, and ticked as perfectly as a Tissot watch. The Russian fans at the arena probably booked their tickets to watch another team here in Stockholm. But the way the Swiss have dominated – in addition to the jersey colour – might have reminded them of the “Red Machine” that nobody has been able to stop yet. That even applies to Switzerland’s foe in the finals. Host Sweden lost its opener to the Swiss, 3-2.

“To get to this part of the tournament is something very special for the country. Our guys deserve to play in the final. We’re going to give everything,” Simpson said.

It’s hard for him to find the right words to describe the reasons behind the sudden success, and he wants to keep his ace up his sleeve. But, obviously, if it works, it works, and players are buying into the coach’s system and words.

“The players really fought and they believe in each other,” Simpson said. “It’s a team sport. If a group is really a team, a lot is possible. We’ve showed it every game. That’s why hockey is so special. You can only win as a group that plays together.”

Another reason is that Swiss ice hockey has simply improved a lot in the last 30 years. The national competition has become more competitive and clubs more professional. There has been more emphasis placed on development and coaching. It’s hard to imagine that roughly 40 years ago Switzerland battled in the C Pool against the likes of Australia, Bulgaria, and DPR Korea.

However, over the years, there have been signs that Switzerland would one day play for a medal again after the surprising fourth-place finishes in 1992 and 1998. The main difference this year was that the Swiss didn’t only rely on strong goaltending and counter-attacks, as in the upsets in the ‘90s. They were also able to dominate opponents with big names on the ice.

“A generation ago Switzerland really invested in the youth program and in good coaches,” Simpson said. “The players that started in that program have now been coming through in the last few years. It has to start somewhere and it has to start in the youth and it needs commitment. We have a pretty good league and now our national team plays well here.”

And now comes the rematch against Sweden, with the whole country experiencing hockey fever in front of their TV sets.

“Everybody is so happy. We‘ve reached something that no Swiss team has reached before and now we want to see what we can do in the final,” Simpson said. “We will give everything. It won’t be easy against Sweden in Stockholm in a full house. But what a dream it is to play here!”

The preparation will be business as usual, Simpson said. For him it means analyzing videos, getting his team ready for a new opponent. Historically, Sweden hasn’t been an easy foe. It was Sweden that destroyed Swiss medal dreams in the semi-finals of 1992 and 1998. And here in Stockholm, only the Swedes and the Czechs have managed to get more shots on goal than Switzerland in their head-to-head games.

“We’ve studied the videos, we know the players and we will enjoy playing against them,” Simpson said.

But he also knows that Sweden has brought its game to a new level, especially thanks to Daniel and Henrik Sedin.

“Their team has grown over the tournament and they have the Sedin twins here now. They have the two best twins in the world now. They have skill and leadership,” Simpson said.

“But our team has grown too and our team has also won against top players in this tournament,” Simpson said. “It’s a thrill for our country to be in the final in Stockholm against Sweden. We’re playing for the World Championship title.”

“Switzerland’s playing for the World Championship title, imagine!”

MARTIN MERK

STOCKHOLM – Somewhere Andy Roach is smiling. Team USA earned its first bronze medal since 2004 with a 3-2 shootout win over Finland at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. John Gibson once again played well beyond his years in the medal winning game.

Video: Highlights, Post-Game Interviews

The USA last won bronze at the 2004 World Championship against Slovakia. In that game, the Americans won on a shootout. It is the 17th World Championship medal for the United States in its participating history in this tournament. It is their sixth bronze.

"It feels great. This is my fourth time playing for Team USA, and I hadn’t gotten a medal [until now]," said T.J. Oshie. "Obviously we wanted it to be gold, but that’s not going to take any excitement away from winning this."

First period goals by Craig Smith, Paul Stastny and a game winning shootout goal by Alex Galchenyuk ensured the Americans would not leave Stockholm empty-handed.

The game started very different for the Americans today than last night’s semi-final match-up. They came out strong and took the play to Finland. Finnish goalie Antti Raanta was tested very early as the Americans used their opportunities to draw first blood.

Craig Smith scored when David Moss jumped to knock the puck down to the ice and Stastny picked up the loose puck and passed it to Smith for a backhand goal 58 seconds into the game. For Smith, it was his fourth goal of the tournament, all scored against the Finns.

"It’s tough. They wanted it, we wanted it," said Ossi Väänänen. "We had a bad start, and there’s no excuse for that. We tried to be ready. It’s a challenge, though, for a game like this. But the USA was ready for the first period."

The Americans playing with a sense of urgency made it hard for the Finns to unleash Petri Kontiola, Juhamatti Aaltonen and Janne Pesonen. The trio had combined for 14 goals and 34 points in the tournament coming into this game.

Stastny widened the lead at 15:58 with a one-timer in the slot off a little shovel pass from Smith. For Stastny it was his team leading seventh of the World Championship, this one coming on the power play. Jacob Trouba picked up an assist.

The Finns picked up the pace in the second period getting some quality chances on net. At 8:07 a point shot from Janne Jalasvaara was saved with Jarno Koskiranta on the doorstep. At 6:50 they continued to focus the action in the USA zone, around the net. With about two minutes remaining in the period, Kontiola send a shot through traffic that Gibson stopped.

Finland would work its way back when Lauri Korpikoski scored. The puck was heading out of the American zone when Väänänen met it at the blueline and sent a shot/pass that Korpikoski redirected to a wide open net. The goal came at 8:56. Kontiola picked up the secondary assist.

This awoke the Finnish fans in attendance as momentum shifted decidedly to Finland. Then at 9:38 Aaltonen finally got his best chance on the day. He broke through the defence and bore in on Gibson who somehow saved the puck and squeezed it between his pads.

Despite back-to-back games in less than 24 hours, the Americans looked fresh with a skated with an extra stride in their step to start but as the game wore on, especially the third period, they looked tired and the Finns elevated their attack.

Finland came all the way back when Mikael Granlund made a nifty deke move through an American defender to put the puck in front where Korpikoski scored his second of the period and the game.

Finland sustained the action in their opponents’ zone and forced overtime.

Teams traded chances through the overtime with the USA’s best chances coming early and Finland’s coming later. The 21-year-old Granlund was active throughout the third period and overtime making things happen and creating chances. A turnover by Team USA led to an opportunity just before the buzzer sounded for Kontiola.

"I think we took the game over in the second and third," said Väänänen. "We played much better and scored two goals to even it up. After OT was scoreless, then we had the shootout. It’s like flipping a coin at that point."

In the shootout, Janne Pesonen scored for Finland, which was matched on the last American shot by Galchenyuk. A big save by Gibson on Korpikoski brought it sudden death. A miss by Granlund set the stage for Galchenyuk who potted his second, this one securing the bronze for Team USA.

Despite being one game from the final, the tournament should still be considered a positive one for Team USA. They exceeded expectations with the run they’ve had; trounced a major rival and saw enough individual efforts from players including Smith, Stastny and Gibson to build on for the future. Matt Carle summed it up best:

"We're a young team and we have a few guys who don't have any pro experience coming into this. We got better as the tournament went along and got into a good position in our group. This is a good consolation."

JOHN SANFUL

STOCKHOLM – Sweden has a chance to become the first team since 1986 to win the World Championship on home ice. Standing in the way is an incredible story of the Swiss national team whose narrative includes a nine-game unbeaten streak at the 2013 World Championship and this being the most important game in the nation’s hockey history.

SWITZERLAND

Key factors

Balanced attack: Switzerland has six players with three or more goals scored and eleven players with five or more points. Switzerland gets scoring from a number of areas and that has been one of the keys to their success. Sweden will have to key in on very many possible offensive contributors for the Swiss.

Defence: Switzerland opponents have averaged 25 shots per game. In their game against Team USA in the semi-finals, Switzerland’s defensive coverage was perhaps the best it has been in this tournament. They choked off opportunities by the Americans and blocked shots, making it tough for any significant scoring chances down low. Testament to the commitment to defence is that only 11 goals have been surrendered in nine games.

Power play: Switzerland has the most efficient power play in the tournament and the lead in power play goals scored with ten. Again, there is balance here as the ten goals have come from nine different scorers. They have been good in using the man advantage to establish leads over the nine games.

Players to watch

Roman Josi: Defenceman Josi is tied for the team lead in scoring. He’s showed offensive instincts from the blueline that makes the Swiss line-up even more dangerous. Production from Josi at the point has come at important times in the tournament. In his fourth World Championship, this is his very best. Josi is coming into his own as a player in the NHL and the effort here further makes the case.

Nino Niederreiter: A difficult season in North America ends with a gold medal game appearance. Niederreiter was not extended an invitation by the New York Islanders to attend training camp and the Chur native must have been disappointed. His five goals and eight points, including stepping it up in the big games here, will work to his favour in the fall.

Martin Gerber/Reto Berra: Gerber and Berra stand out as 1 and 1A. Both have combined for the eye-popping goals against statistic in the tournament. Gerber’s five wins and 1.38 goals against average is second in the tournament to Berra’s four wins and 1.00.

SWEDEN

Key factors

Fan support: Games at the Globe Arena where Sweden has played throughout the tournament offers tremendous fan support. With the gold medal on the line, expect the crowd to be more boisterous than usual.

The Sedins System: So it comes down to this: Roll out the Sedins line and let them work. So far, the dynamic duo has teamed with Loui Eriksson to form a potent line combination that was missing for the first half of the tournament. It’s not a stretch to say that without the Sedins working their magic Sweden wouldn’t be here.

Opportunity Knocks: Sweden has picked up its power play. With four man advantage goals in the last two games, they are finally clicking. As Henrik Tallinder noted after their last game against Finland: “We have the Sedin twins on the power play and they put a lot of respect in the other opponents. They are playing with so much skill and so much poise, it is fun to see. Now we have a power play that is really dangerous. We did not have that before the twins showed up.”

Players to watch

Loui Eriksson: Consider this a tale of two tournaments for Eriksson. Before the Sedins arrived he totaled a goal and three points in his first six games. After being added to a line with the Sedins, Eriksson has three goals and six points in three games. They have brought out the best in Eriksson who now seems confident.

Jhonas Enroth: Talk to any Team Sweden player and they will tell you that Enroth is the engine that drives the car. His preparedness, focus and determination have been important as Sweden’s last line of defence. Along with the Swiss goaltending duo, Enroth is making a case for best goalie of the tournament. Enroth’s goals against is 1.17 along with two shutouts and five wins.

Fredrik Pettersson: The Gothenburg product is having a noteworthy tournament after a nondescript World Championship debut in 2010. He has three goals but two of them are game winners. Petterson’s game winning shootout goal was his most significant to date as it eliminated a tournament favourite in Canada.

JOHN SANFUL

STOCKHOLM – Peter Forsberg, Mats Sundin, Paul Henderson, Teppo Numminen, and Danielle Goyette became the latest five legendary players inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame at an unforgettable gala ceremony in Stockholm  on Sunday.

Click here for the full induction ceremony video (90 minutes).

Jan-Åke Edvinsson, the General Secretary of the IIHF from 1986 to 2006, was inducted in the builders’ category. There are now 189 inductees from 22 countries in the IIHF Hall of Fame.

In addition, TSN broadcaster Gord Miller received the Paul Loicq Award for outstanding contributions to international hockey. The Soviet Union team that won the 1954 IIHF World Championship was given the Milestone Award, acknowledging its ground-breaking role at the dawn of the modern era of international hockey.

IIHF President René Fasel, who doubles as the Chairman of the IIHF Historical Committee, described it as “a truly amazing class of inductees”.

Forsberg is one of only three players – along with Russia’s Vyacheslav Fetisov and Igor Larionov – to have captured “double Triple Gold Club” honours (winning the Olympics, World Championship and Stanley Cup twice).

Best-known in his NHL days as a member of the Colorado Avalanche, this fixture in the Swedish roster holds the single-tournament World Junior scoring record with a whopping 31 points (1993). Named Best Forward at the 1998 World Championship, the powerful playmaking forward scored the winning shootout goal at the 1994 Olympics and assisted on Nicklas Lidström’s winner at the 2006 Olympics.

Forsberg was inducted by Swedish heptathlon star Carolina Klüft, who said she was inspired by watching his end-to-end goal in Sweden’s 6-5 comeback win against Finland in the 2003 quarter-finals.

“I loved playing in the big tournaments,” said Forsberg, who recalled the leadership Sundin showed in Turin and especially on the ‘06 winner. He quipped: “Thank God I didn’t go in front of the net or Lidström would have killed me with that shot!”

Sundin enjoyed a great career as the longtime captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, but his accomplishments on the international stage were even greater. This classy Swedish center won three World Championships and one Olympic gold (2006), cracking international all-star teams on five different occasions. Last year, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, the second Swede so honoured after Borje Salming. Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt inducted him here.

Retired since 2009, Sundin reminisced fondly about his parents driving him and his two brothers around to Stockholm rinks. He described how Sweden’s 1987 World Championship victory, with Tomas Sandstrom’s famous goal against the Soviets, provided him with inspiration. “To play hockey, you need passion, determination, strong will, and maybe a little bit of madness,” he said.

“Henderson has scored for Canada!” Those words by legendary broadcaster Foster Hewitt heralded Paul Henderson’s signature accomplishment in international hockey – scoring the winning goal for Canada in Game Eight of the epoch-making 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union. Incredibly, this savvy Ontario-born forward tallied the winners in Games Six and Seven as well. He played close to 1,100 games in a 19-year pro career, and also returned internationally in the WHA’s 1974 Summit Series with the Soviets.

Henderson was introduced by Russian Ice Hockey Federation president Vladislav Tretiak, the most decorated player in international hockey history and Henderson’s foe in ‘72. “Thank you for letting me score that last goal,” Henderson joked with Tretiak. “I’ve been riding that goal for 40 years, and it’s been a nice ride.”

“The Russians were a lot better than we ever thought they were,” Henderson told IIHF.com afterwards. “I think that really started international hockey on a major league scale. We knew there were other nations out there. But [at this World Championship], look, Canada’s not even in the top four. It’s sad, but that’s just how good hockey is getting around the world today.”

The international hockey family was happy to hear that Henderson’s health is improving after he received a cancer diagnosis back in 2009. He thanked his wife of 50 years, Eleanor, for making their home an “oasis away from hockey”.

Numminen ranks among Finland’s all-time greatest defenceman. Four was a magic number for the Tampere native, as he played in four Olympics, four Worlds, and four Canada Cups. His highlights included capturing Olympic silver in 1988 and 2006. At the time of his retirement, he had played more NHL games than any other European (1,372) with four different clubs.

He was praised by former Tappara Tampere and Suomi teammate Timo Jutila, who called Numminen “a smart player, the best defenceman ever created in Finland”.

With consummate skill and perseverance, Goyette forged her reputation as a longtime scoring star on Canada’s national women’s team. A three-time Olympian and nine-time World Championship participant, she won gold in every case except for the 1998 Olympics and 2005 Worlds. The native of St. Nazaire, Quebec.

“She was a better player at 41 than at 26,” noted former Swedish women’s national team coach Peter Elander. “Fortunately for me, she stopped playing in 2007, and my therapist was very happy.”

As well as lauding her past teammates and coaches, Goyette spoke highly of her fellow IIHF Hall of Fame inductees. “When I was growing up, I didn’t have any female hockey players as role models,” she said. “You guys were my heroes. Peter Forsberg, I played with your curve for many years – I guess it worked. I will cherish this moment for a lifetime.”

Miller, the Paul Loicq Award winner, has traveled to broadcast the World Juniors for TSN each year since 1995. He’s now considered the “top broadcaster in the National Hockey League”, according to Hockey Canada President & CEO and IIHF Vice President Bob Nicholson.

Miller fondly pointed out how the milestones in his life with his wife, Sarah, have centered on the World Juniors, from their early dating to the birth of their daughter. “Hockey enlightens, teaches, entertains, and exhilarates us,” said Miller.

Legendary Russian forward Boris Mikhailov gave a speech on behalf of the 1954 Soviet World Championship-winning team, which inspired him to play hockey as a 10-year-old boy growing up in Moscow. Two members of that team, Viktor Shuvalov and Alexander Komarov are still alive, but they’re in their 90s and no longer able to travel long distances.

With tongue-in-cheek humour, Mikhailov addressed a few special words to Paul Henderson: “I remember our battles in 1972 as if it was yesterday. It’s almost incredible that 40 years have passed – and we still look so good!”

Jan-Åke Edvinsson, a native of Trolle Ljungby, Sweden, was hailed for his objectivity - during 21 years of dedicated service to the IIHF - by former IIHF Vice President Murray Costello. “There never was a time, not even once, that Jan-Åke made a decision that [showed favoritism] toward Sweden,” said Costello. “The finances of the IIHF have remained healthy and strong, and we can thank Jan-Åke for this.”

The IIHF had grown to 64 member nations participating in 29 international tournaments by the time Edvinsson retired. He is already a member of the German and Slovenian Hockey Halls of Fame.

IOC President Jacques Rogge concluded the ceremony with a memorable address. Rogge, a former rugby player, said: “I’m not a member of the hockey family, but I have a special affection for your sport.” After recounting his favourite hockey moments from past Olympics, he expressed his hope that a deal will soon be finalized to send NHL players to the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

The jerseys worn by the inductees during the ceremony are being auctioned off for charities of their choice until Monday night. Click here for more information.

To view complete biographies, click here.

LUCAS AYKROYD

STOCKHOLM – It’s never easy playing for bronze medal coming off a tough defeat. But moreso for the Americans who were a win away from securing their first shot at a gold medal since 1933.

And for Finland losing to its national rival after finishing first in its group in Helsinki has probably left a feeling of disappointment among the team.

Both sides have to regroup if they are to take home a medal. For the Americans it would be their first since a bronze in 2004; for the Finns their first since winning gold in 2011.

USA

Key factors

Familiarity: Team USA knows this opponent from its time in Helsinki. When they met on May 8th, Team USA defeated Finland 4-1. Craig Smith had a hat trick and John Gibson made 31 saves. All the more impressive was the win came at Hartwall Arena and Finland was the host team.

Goaltending: John Gibson has been impressive. Even in a 3-0 loss to Switzerland, Gibson was outstanding, particularly in the first period when Team USA needed him to keep the game within reach. A second-round draft pick in 2011 of the Anaheim Ducks, Gibson won a gold medal in January with Team USA at the U20 World Championship. Gibson has no doubt made Anaheim take notice as Team USA has here at this tournament.

Fatigue: After losing to Switzerland, Team USA now has to be ready to play less than 24 hours later. It takes a lot after a run like the Americans have had with the gold medal game sixty minutes away to now reconstitute themselves in time to prepare for a bronze medal game. At the same time, to play for a medal is an opportunity afforded to only four of sixteen teams in the tournament and Team USA will not want to go home empty handed.

Players to watch

John Gibson: See above. Gibson has been sublime in goal displaying a maturity well beyond his 19 years.

Craig Smith: What else can you say about Craig Smith’s performance with Team USA has been exceptional. With three goals and twelve points, Smith provided the offence needed to carry his squad. This performance could be the boost Smith needs to be an even more pivotal player both for the Predators and then the national team.

Paul Stastny: The Colorado Avalanche forward rebounded from a disappointing regular season to lead his team in scoring at the World Championship. At 27, Stastny is still a player who Team USA will consider a leader having been a three time World Championship and one time Olympic performer for his country.

FINLAND

Key factors

Playing for a medal: Finland won the gold medal in 2011 and have not medalled since. They are more comfortable and experienced in competing for a medal than their opponents. Since 2000, Finland has won one gold, two silver and three bronze.

Offensive depth: Finland’s forwards have scored 26 goals. It’s lone goal from a defenceman came from Ossi Väänänen. That there are any number of forwards who can put the puck in the back of the net is an important consideration in the game. Scoring can come from anywhere and should give the Americans fits throughout the game.

Road games: Since last year, Finland has played 18 of 19 World Championship games at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki. In its only game of the tournament at the Globe Arena in Stockholm, they have lost. Not having the home crowd to cheer them on and immediate familiarity with the arena might make this a tough game.

Players to watch

Petri Kontiola: Finland’s leading scorer, and the leading scorer in the tournament, has proven a leader. Kontiola has scored in seven of Finland’s nine games. In the two games they have not scored, Finland lost both contests. The former Chicago Blackhawks prospect has represented Finland on four occasions at the World Championships but this, by far, has been his most productive tournament.

Mikael Granlund: The 21-year-old Granlund is a player on the rise. He scored two goals in limited time in the NHL this season before coming over to represent Finland. In three games he scored a goal. Before coming to North America, Granlund starred for HIFK Helsinki.

Lauri Korpikoski: After going scoreless at the 2010 World Championship, Korpikoski registered a goal and three points this year. Korpikoski has enjoyed a productive career with the Phoenix Coyotes since 2009.

JOHN SANFUL