LEKSAND, Sweden (AP) – The United States lost to Germany 2-1 at the World Junior Hockey Championship on Tuesday, beaten by Marcel Muller’s goal 1:51 into overtime.

This was Germany’s first victory over the Americans in the world juniors, although West Germany won three times, the last in 1981.

In another Group A game, two-time defending champion Canada downed Sweden 2-0. In Group B, in nearby Mora, Belarus edged Finland 4-3, rallying from 2-1 down after two periods, and Russia beat the Czech Republic 3-2.

In the U.S.-Germany game, the winning goal came after defenseman Christopher Fischer made a rush deep into the American zone. He sent a short drop pass for Muller, who scored through goalie Jeff Zatkoff’s pads.

The Americans dominated early, but defenseman Christopher Giebe gave Germany the lead with a power-play goal at 13:45.

The puck took a weird bounce off Jim Fraser, and Zatkoff had no chance.

The U.S. outshot Germany 15-3 in the second period and wasted at least six excellent scoring chances, including Jack Skille’s shot in the post. Peter Mueller evened the score at 8:56 in the last period with a shot past screened German goalie Sebastian Stefaniszyn. The Americans outshot Germany 39-16.

In the Canada-Sweden game, Luc Bourdon, who has played nine games this season for the Vancouver Canucks, and Brad Merchand scored on power plays. Goaltender Carey Price stopped 31 shots to earn the shutout.

AP-ES-12-26-06 1632EST