U.S. defeated in World Hockey

PRAGUE, Czech Republic — Dick Tarnstrom scored 18 seconds in and Sweden beat the United States 3-2 Saturday, setting up a rematch of last year’s final against Canada at the World Hockey Championships.

Canada, which beat Sweden on a disputed overtime goal in 2003, edged Slovakia 2-1 earlier Saturday on Shawn Horcoff’s third-period goal. The United States hoped to create the first all-North American final in 54 years, but instead will face Slovakia today in the bronze-medal game.

Tarnstrom, who this season became the first defenseman to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins in scoring, netted the second-fastest goal at the start of a game in the tournament.

Jonas Hoglund tipped in Michael Nylander’s pass to give Sweden a 2-0 lead with 1:02 left in the period as Mike Grier served a double minor for high-sticking.

It was Hoglund’s third goal in two games against the United States. He scored twice in a 3-1 victory in the qualifying round.

Richard Park of the Minnesota Wild cut the deficit to 2-1 at 11:06 of the second period.

But P.J. Axelsson of the Boston Bruins restored Sweden’s two-goal lead with another power-play goal with 16 seconds remaining in the period. He beat Dunham with a wrister from between the circles.