Sweden wins group C

Sweden made their by far best game of the tournament so far when they defeated USA 6-2. Sweden was the better team but the game was more even than the result but USA's goaltender Al Montoya didn't impresse in USA's goal.

"It felt like it was for real now", Sweden's head coach Pär Mårts said after the game and added "I'm mostly pleased with our defensive play".

Patrik Berglund scored his third goal of tournament when he opened the scoring at 17:31. USA failed the clear the puck out of the own zone and Berglund got the chance and took it. Just over a minute later Cam Fowler tied the game with a backhand finish on the power play after a nice cross pass by Derek Stepan.

Al Montoya made a big mistake behind his own net and Mattias Tedenby stole the puck and found Marcus Krüger in front of net, Krüger had a wide open net but almost missed the shot but scored by the post. Both Sweden's first goals were mistakes by the Americans but the Swedes made a good work forcing USA to make mistakes. Sweden took over more and more of the momentum and USA mostly created chances on the power play.

Halfway through the second Mattias Sjögren made it 3-1 on a shot that didn't look unstopable. Sweden continued to dominate the game and Berglund scored his second of the game when he made it 4-1 from close range.

In the third period Sweden continued to be in control of the game but Blake Wheeler gave the game some nerve when he reduced Sweden's lead to two goals at 10:29. After the goal USA improved their game and tried to come back. But instead Sweden made 5-2 on a counter attack. Jimmie Ericsson the goal scorer and once again Montoya looked insecure. Sweden also added a sixth goal when 35 year old David Petrasek scored his first World Championship goal with a shot from the blueline on a power play.

The result gives Sweden first place in the group and they will bring four points to the next round, USA finish second and will bring three points to to next round.

 

Advanced player search

Tweets by @eurohockey