Finally sold out in Stockholm

The first game in Stockholm that was sold out with 11 500 spectators (capacity reduced due to media stands etc.) and even it was a bit shaky and slow at times it was a solid win for Sweden who defeated Germany 5-2.

"Very nice to see that so many found their way here" Marcus Krüger said after the game. "It was a tough game for us, Sweden had a show out there. I think they are the best teams we have played so far", German coach Jakob Kölliker said after the game.

For the third game in a row Sweden took the lead within first three minutes. Today it was Marcus Krüger who made it after a nice Swedish attack when Viktor Hedman found Krüger, Dennis Endras made a couple saves first, but Krüger scored on the second rebound. But Sweden didn't went on with the same speed as against Denmark. Germany was allowed to create of couple of good chances after Swedish mistakes. Germany got a late power play which was easily killed by Sweden but when everyone was waiting for the final buzzer Kai Hospelt found Philip Gogulla in front of goal and Gogulla scored in the last second of the period.

"I think we played quite stabile. It helped our line a lot that we scored in our first shift", Krüger said.

The game was waiting on which way to take at the beginning of the second, Sweden took more and more control of the game and finally it was Niklas Hjalmarsson who stepped forward to give Sweden the lead. He didn't score himself but he made some nice dekes and a great assist to Viktor Stålberg who finished it with an hard shot. Hjalmarsson who before the tournament mainly was considered a defensive player has been one of Sweden's best players so far both defensively and offensively.

NHL's top scoring defenseman Erik Karlsson made it 3-1 shortly afterwards with a shot from the blue line at a power play. At that point it felt like Sweden would win easily and created several scoring opportunities for 4-1 but the Germans rode the storm out and instead Patrick Reimer reduced Sweden's lead with three minutes left of the second when his shot found the hole between Fasth's legs. The goal came on one of only five German shots in the second period.

Despite 30-13 in shots Sweden only had 3-2 after two periods, it was probably a bit relieving to get 4-2 quite early in the third. Johan Larsson set up Niklas Persson who had an easy finish for 4-2. Germany didn't have much but a couple of chances after minutes, but instead of 4-3 Sweden set up a quick counter attack and Johan Franzén scored 5-2 by taking the rebound on his own shot.

Sweden will now play Russia on Friday, the first real test for this team that have started the tournament with four straight wins. "If we play like today we won't win. We have to play a bit easier in our own zone", Niklas Hjalmarsson commented about the next game. Germany is still trying to reach the quarter finals but it will be a tough task. "It's gonna be tough but we stay positive" Felix Schütz said after the game.

 

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