Oilers prospect and Swedish captain Anton Lander battles for the puck during Friday's game. (Photo by Getty Images)

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Curtis Hamilton put in his most impressive performance in the tournament to-date but he was overshadowed by fellow Oilers prospect Anton Lander.

Lander scored the backbreaking shootout goal which clinched a 6-5 win for the Swedes over Canada.

"We had already taken two penalty shots and Oscar Lindberg scored so I had nothing to lose, I wanted to win the game. I had this move that I grew up with so I thought I better play it safe and why not try it now when you're in this situation," Lander said.

It was Sweden's first game at HSBC Arena with all their others being at the miniscule Dwyer Arena in Niagara. However, the large pro-Canadian crowd did not affect their resolve.

"We're a strong group in Sweden and we're really strong together. We work 100% every shift for 60 minutes and today 65 minutes to win the game," Lander noted.

"It started with the Russian game we beat Russia 2-0. Then we got the confidence to go next to Czech and Canada today in a new rink, a new arena with 8,00 Canadian fans so we get a lot of energy from that."

Lander's goal was scored on fellow Oilers prospect Olivier Roy.

"I think the guys played great scoring all those goals. We had the lead halfway through the third. It's the most disappointing part that late in the third, I needed just one more save to get the win and now we have to come back and next game, if I'm going to be in net for the next game, I'm going to prepare myself to be ready for it," Roy remarked.

Before Sweden tied the game up at 5-5 in the third period, it looked like Hamilton would be the one going down as the hero.

First, with the game tied 2-2, he scored with 0.5 seconds left on the clock in the opening period.

In the second period he then crashed the net and had the puck go in off his skate to pull Canada back on even terms at 4-4.

Watch highlights of the game

Toni Rajala (right) battles with USA's Derek Forbort

Toni Rajala had an assist as his Finnish squad put in their most impressive performance of the tournament so far, defeating Slovakia 6-0.

Rajala is currently second on Finland in assists with four but is still looking for his first goal.

"I feel pretty good. I can't score, I don't know why," chuckled Rajala. "It's a problem but we've been playing well. Our goalie has been good so far, he has three wins and we have four lines that can score."

The Finns as a unit have had no problems putting the puck in the net and seem to be getting better each game.

"It's been a pretty good tournament so far for us. That first game against the USA was great. We didn't win but after that we've been good."

Finland ended up in second place in their group and have the daunting task of facing Russia in the quarterfinals. That game will be at 5:30 p.m. MST on Sunday, January 2.

"I think we have more skills this year and we are a little bit of a stronger team than last year," Rajala remarked. He then added that this year it's all about the medal.

"I don't really care how many points I get. It's my last year here and I want to win, of course the gold medal, is our goal but we'll see what happens. We want a medal, that's our goal."

Canada's quarterfinal game will be against Switzerland at 1:30 p.m. on January 2. If Canada wins they then take on the USA on Monday.

Sweden will await the winner of Finland and Russia. 

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MORE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS NEWS & MULTIMEDIA

• Dec 31: Andrew Cogliano's WJC memories
  
• Dec 30: WJC Report: Day 5
• Dec 29: WJC Report: Day 4
• Dec 29: Oilers prospect Marincin suspended
  
• Dec 28: WJC Report: Day 3
• Dec 27: WJC Report: Day 2
• Dec 26: WJC Report: Day 1
  
• Dec 25: World Juniors Preview
• Dec 24: WJC creates unforgettable memories
  
• Dec 23: Sabres ready to welcome world to Buffalo for WJC
• Dec 23: Future Watch: Anton Lander
  
• Dec 20: Pelss & Latvia win U20
  
• Dec 15: Roy & Hamilton named to National Junior Team
  
• Dec 10: Hall & Eberle talk World Junior Memories at Priority Draw Launch
  
• Read more on the World Junior Hockey Championships

MEDAL ROUND SCHEDULE & RESULTS
(all times mountain)

Sunday, January 2:

Canada vs. Switzerland - 1:30 p.m.
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos | Highlights  | Post-game interviews

Finland vs. Russia - 5:30 p.m.
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos | Highlights  | Post-game interviews

Monday, January 3:

Sweden vs. Russia or Finland - 1:30 p.m.
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos | Highlights  | Post-game interviews

USA vs. Canada or Switzerland - 5:30 p.m.
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos | Highlights  | Post-game interviews

Wednesday, January 5:

Bronze Medal Game - 1:30 p.m.
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos | Highlights  | Post-game interviews

Gold Medal Game - 5:30 p.m.
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos | Highlights  | Post-game interviews

======END OF TOURNAMENT======

ROUND ROBIN SCHEDULE & RESULTS
(all times mountain)

Sunday, December 26:

Canada 6 - Russia 3
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos | Highlights

Sweden 7 - Norway 1
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos

USA 3 - Finland 2 (OT)
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos | Highlights

Monday, December 27:

Slovakia 2 - Germany 1 (OT)
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos

Tuesday, December 28:

Finland 4 - Switzerland 0
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos

Canada 7 - Czech 2
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos | Highlights

Sweden 2 - Russia 0
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos

USA 6 - Slovakia 1
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos | Highlights

Wednesday, December 29:

Finland 5 - Germany 1
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos

Canada 10 - Norway 1
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos | Highlights

Thursday, December 30:

Switzerland 6 - Slovakia 4
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos

Sweden 6 - Czech 3
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos

Friday, December 31:

Finland 6 - Slovakia 0
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos | Post-Game Interviews

Sweden 6 -  Canada 5 (SO)
Gamesheet | Recap | Photos | Highlights | Post-Game Interviews

======END OF ROUND ROBIN======

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