for the first game in the medal round, the united states played the soviets. finishing the first period tied at 2–2, and the soviets leading 3–2 following the second, the u.s. team scored two more goals to take their first lead midway in the third and final period, then held on and won 4–3. two days later, the u.s. won the gold medal by beating finland in their final game. the soviet union took the silver medal by beating sweden.