Lindstrom scores shootout winner as Sweden edges Canada in U18 semifinals

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Linus Lindstrom scored the shootout winner as Sweden held off Canada 6-5 on Saturday in the semifinals of the world under-18 hockey championship.

Sweden will face Finland in Sunday's final after it downed the United States 4-2 in the other semi. The Americans were the defending champions and had won the tournament in seven of the last eight years.

Tim Wahlgren, Oskar Steen, Tim Soderlund, Lias Andersson and Elias Pettersson supplied the offence in regulation for Sweden, which gave up a two-goal lead in the third period.

William Bitten and Jordan Kyrou scored in the third as the Canadians tied the game 5-5. Jakob Chychrun, David Quenneville and Pascal Laberge also chipped in.

Filip Gustavsson made 54 saves for the win in net as Evan Fitzpatrick turned aside 29-of-34 shots in defeat.

The Swedes were scoreless on two power plays while Canada went 1 for 3.

Steen gave Sweden a 2-1 lead 1:17 into the second on a wrist shot from the top of the left circle that caught a piece of Fitzpatrick, but sneaked into the back of the net.

Quenneville evened the game at 2-2 later in the second after his wrist shot hit the post and ricocheted off the back of Gustavsson and into the net.

Just over a minute later, Sweden created an opportunity off the forecheck and Soderlund was able to pick up a loose puck and fire it past Fitzpatrick to retain the Swedes' one-goal advantage.

Andersson gave Sweden a two-goal lead at 7:50 of the third period when he sniped a wrist shot over the glove of Fitzpatrick. Chychrun made the game 4-3 after beating Gustavsson at the side of the net.

Sweden made it 5-3 after a scramble in front and a lengthy goal review. Just 17 seconds later, though, Bitten flicked a backhand shot over the glove of Gustavsson and into the top corner of the net.

Canada's Kyrou tied the game at 5-5 after scoring off a no-look, backhand pass from Boris Katchouk, who was behind the net.

Notes: Tyson Jost's assist helped him pass Connor McDavid for the most points by a Canadian at the under 18's. He now has 15 points at the tournament.