Sweden wins comfortable against France

06 May 2011 | Fredrik Pålsson

Sweden killed the game with three first period goals and then cruised through to a 4-0 win.

Viktor Fasth got his second shutout of the tournament when Sweden defeated France 4-0. Sweden scored three goals in the first period. Robert Nilsson scored the first one after a nice play. Oliver Ekman Larsson made it 2-0 with a shot from the blueline that deflected of a French defender. On 3-0 Magnus Pääjärvi Svensson crashed on goal and Patrik Berglund picked up the loose puck for an easy finish.

Sweden had 20-7 in shots on goal in the first period and even if Cristobal Huet couln't be blamed for that he was replaced by Fabrice Lhenry after the first period. Lhenry did well and saved 37 of 38 Swedish shots in the second and third period.

The final goal of the game was a great individual effort by the defender Staffan Kronwall. Not known for his offensive and technical he made a brilliant individual effort fooling a French defender and scored with a great backhand finish who left Henry with no chance.

Sweden looks good to qualify for the quarter finals while France chances are very small. Something they already realised "We have already done our job by making it to the second round, but we have to be motivated for the rest of the tournament and try to take the game for the experience," said French defenceman Kevin Hecquefeuill after the game.