UFA, Russia - Sweden defeated Russia 3-2 in a shootout Thursday to advance to the final of the world junior hockey championship.

The defending champions will play the United States for gold on Saturday after the Americans posted a 5-1 win over Canada in the early semifinal. Host Russia will play Canada for bronze.

After a scoreless overtime session, Sweden's Sebastian Collberg scored the only goal in the shootout.

Sweden dominated the first period with Elias Lindholm and Filip Forsberg giving the visitors the early lead. Andrei Mironov cut the deficit in half in the second period and Mikhail Grigorenko tied the game midway through the third.

Niklas Lundstrom made 27 saves for the victory. Andrei Vasilevski stopped 38 shots for Russia.

Slovakia beat Latvia 5-3 in a relegation round match.

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