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LIBEREC, Czech Republic — Colin Wilson scored twice to lead the United States to a 4-2 victory over Switzerland on Friday and move it atop Group B at the world junior hockey championship.
The victory gave the United States six points and the edge on Russia on goal difference entering their showdown Saturday.
Also on Friday, Mikael Backlund and Tony Lagerstrom each scored a pair of goals and Robin Figren added his third of the tournament to rally Sweden from an early deficit for a 10-1 victory over Denmark.
Wilson scored a pair of power-play goals and the Americans converted four of 11 extra-man opportunities. Wilson put the United States ahead at 5:08 of the opening period and Bobby Sanguinetti doubled the advantage 2:57 into the second. Andrei Bykov cut the lead 1:20 later.
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James van Riemsdyk scored the eventual winner 2:27 into the final period, giving him two goals and a tournament-leading five points.
Wilson added his second to increase the American lead to 4-1 9:31 into the third period, his third goal in two games and giving him a share of the tournament lead with Figren and the Czech Republic's Michael Frolik.
Arnaud Jacquemet added a power-play goal for Switzerland with 4:15 remaining.
Sweden had to rally when Morten Poulsen gave Denmark the lead after only 66 seconds.
Oscar Moller and Tobias Forsberg scored 2:37 apart to put Sweden ahead 2-1 by 9:56 of the first period. Backlund scored both of his goals and Lagerstrom and Figren added theirs in the second period to give Sweden control at 6-1.
The win moved Sweden atop Group A with six points, ahead of Canada on goal difference heading into their game Saturday.
