The gold medal game will be played tomorrow between the United States and Swedish junior squads. The USA lost two games in the group stage to both Canada and Russia, but they will be finishing the tournament ahead of both of these teams who will be playing in the bronze medal game earlier in the day. The Americans pretty much destroyed Team Canada winning 5-1 in their semi-final game to advance to the finals. The Swedes on the other hand went to a shootout with the Russians after blowing a 2 goal lead in the game, but they were able to score when they needed to in the shootout and now will have a chance to defend their gold medal from last year.
USA vs Sweden Gold Medal Game Prediction
The Americans are the favorites in this one and rightfully so after their strong showing against a Canadian team that was full of NHL caliber players. Here are the odds for the gold medal game:
From Bovada (for Americans)/Bodog (for Canadians)
USA -175
Sweden +135
USA -1.5 (+150)
Sweden +1.5 (-190)
Over/Under 6.5
5Dimes has slightly different odds:
USA -0.5 (+100)
Sweden +0.5 (-120)
Over/Under 6
The Americans should be too much for the Swedes in this game, especially if they are able to bring the same effort to the game as they did against Team Canada. Gibson has been amazing in goal and the Swedes, who are missing some of their star players, aren’t the team they could be and although they have won every game they haven’t been dominant. I like USA in this one and their odds are fairly good for either of the puck line odds or money line odds above.
Canada vs Russia Bronze Medal Game Prediction
I’m going to throw in a bronze medal prediction here as well. Team Canada has announced they will start Jordan Binnington in the Bronze Medal game and I think this is a smart move. He was the better of the two goaltenders leading up to the tournament and was stellar when called upon in the semi-final game. I like Canada to get things together and really bring it in this one, which leads me to believe a puckline bet is the smarter choice. You can get Canada at -1.5 (+130) at Bodog/Bovada and Canada at -1 (-115) at 5Dimes. Take either of these and expect a blowout.
Keep up to date with the tourney at the TSN World Juniors page.
Tagged with: Canada • IIHF • Russia • Sweden • USA • World Juniors