EHT: Sweden comes back from nightmare start

15 Dec 2011 | Fredrik Pålsson

The Czechs took the lead already after five seconds but Sweden came back and won on away ice in Chomutov.

The game started with a nightmare for Oscar Eklund and Sweden. Sweden won the first face off but Eklund's first effort at international level was terrible and he passed the puck straight to Petr Prucha who made it 1-0 already after five seconds with a hard and high shot. The Swedes got a great chance to come back into the game but failed to convert on the early power play despite two chances on an open net. After the action filled opening of the game the game slowed down a bit but the first period was still entertaining with good combinations and chances at both ends.

Sweden were really close to tie the game late in the third but the equalizer came halfway into the game when Sweden's best line of the game made it 1-1 with a nice attack. Carl Söderberg skated down the right flank and served Dick Axelsson who made no mistake all alone in front of Stepanek. Sweden continue to play good after the goal and a few minutes later Sweden were in the lead when Nicklas Persson picked up a rebound. A very solid second period by Sweden, perhaps their best this season.

"It was the first five seconds, then it just has been about us, they are good on conter attacks but I think we will hold on to this lead", Carl Söderberg said after the second period. "We could have scored a couple of goals more but we need to play more careful when we don't have the puck", Sweden's coach Pär Mårts added.

Cheered on by the home crowd the Czechs tried to tie the game in the third period but Sweden was in control of the game and not many chances were created. The best chance came with just over one minute left but Fasth saved. The chance also gave a Swedish penalty and the Czechs played the last minute six on four but failed to convert.

"I think we have much better speed than in the beginning of the last tournament. It felt like the goals would come and they did", Sweden's captain Nicklas Persson said after the game. Head coach Mårts was pleased after the game "I think we were closer to 5-1 than 2-2".

Jakub Stepanek was given the man of the match award for the Czechs and Carl Söderberg for Sweden.