Ryan Leonard notched the game-winning goal early in 3-on-3 overtime on Sunday as the U.S. claimed the gold medal with a 3-2 win over Sweden at the 2023 IIHF U-18 Men's World Championship in Basel, Switzerland.
Leonard, a Boston College commit, scored on a wrist shot 2:20 into sudden death to propel the Americans to their first gold medal in the U18 Worlds since 2017. The U.S. had battled back from a 2-0 deficit on third-period goals by Notre Dame commit Danny Nelson and Carey Terrance. Michigan State commit Trey Augustine had 30 saves for Team USA, while Boston College commit Will Smith earned tournament MVP honors by leading all players with nine goals and 20 points in seven games.
Canada won this year's bronze medal with a 4-3 OT win over Slovakia. Since the U18 Worlds debuted in 1999, the U.S. has now medaled on no less than 19 occasions, including winning the gold medal a record 11 times.
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