Swedish victory after penalty shots

The game between Sweden and Finland made no difference for the final standings as it already before the game stood clear that Sweden would win the tournament and Finland would place third. But Sweden vs Finland are always emotional games even if there is nothing more than honour to play for. Finland was the better team for most of the game but in the end it was Sweden who celebrated.


Sweden celebrates a goal

Finland took the lead at 8:23 when Pentri Kontiola made it 1-0 while the teams were playing four on four. Just a minute later Antti Pihlström hade a great chance to double Finland's lead but Daniel Larsson made the save. Sweden also created some chances, especially on power plays but both goalkeepers played well to keep the numbers down. However Sweden felt sleepy and not hungry after the two big wins on the first two days of play. They were also missing some players like Marcus Krüger and Jonas Andersson due to injuries and illness

Jimmie Ericsson finished a nice Swedish attack with a backhand shot to tie the game 1-1 after a great pass by Martin Thörnberg eight minutes into the second period. You would expect the goal to give Sweden more energy but Finland continued to be the better team after the goal and were only inches from a second goal on two occations. Sweden on the other hand didn't create any danger what so ever in front of Karri Rämö in the Finnish net until the last minute when Jimmie Ericsson got a breakaway and was tripped from behind. The penalty shot was taken Ericsson himself but Rämö made an easy save.



At the beginning of the third Finland kept control of the game. And when Sweden failed to clear the puck out of their own zone Lennart Petrell could pick up a loose puck in front of goal and Finland the lead again. Finland kept in control of the game for the next ten minutes before the game suddenly got more intense with feelings on both on the ice and in the stands. At the time Sweden also started to play better and creating some chances for the equalizer. Finland however still felt like the better team and like that they would hold on to their lead but with 2:04 left of the third period the late call up Jan Sandström tied the game with a hard shot from the blue line. Total shots on goal was 21-41 so Sweden has to be happy for a tied result att full time.

The game went to overtime when Lasse Kukkonen had a great chance to score winner, all alone with Larsson, but Larsson saved the attempt and the overtime was scoreless. The game went to penalty shots. Kontiola scored the first for Finland, Axelsson also scored on Sweden's first. Aaltonen missed Finland's second while Lindström scored. And when Daniel Larsson saved Puustinen's penalty shot it was all over.


Dick Axelsson scores on his penalty shot

Sweden-Finland
0-1 (8:23) Petri Kontiola
1-1 (27:57) Jimmie Ericsson (Martin Thörnberg, Björn Melin)
1-2 (41:46) Lennart Petrell (Janne Niskala, Jani Lajunen)           
2-2 (57:56) Jan Sandström (Niklas Persson, Magnus Johansson)
3-2 (GWS) Joakim Lindström

 

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