Nylander Helps Sweden Secure Top Slot in 2017 World Junior Championships
Alexander Nylander helped lead Sweden to clinch Group A of the 2017 World Junior Championships tallying three points in the victory over Finland on Thursday.
After the 4-2 victory over Switzerland, the Swedes followed up with a close game decided by the third period.
Rasmus Dahlin was called on a tripping penalty in the first period which resulted in a power play goal for Finland. Finland’s lone goal was scored by Aepeli Räsänen, an Edmonton Oilers prospect.
The second period was heavy on penalties for Sweden, Carl Grundström on a tripping call, Dahlin on an interference call and then 6 seconds later, Grundström spent another two minutes in the penalty box for delaying the game.
As the second period calmed from penalties, Lias Andersson, a top prospect in the upcoming 2017 draft, tallied Sweden’s first goal of the game. Nylander assisted on Andersson’s goal.
Just minutes after the beginning of the third, Nylander grabbed the lead for Sweden putting the second goal on the board. Nylander’s goal was assisted by Grundström and Eriksson-Ek.
With less than two minutes remaining in the game, Finland pulled their goalie, Veini Vehvilainen and Nylander finished it off 3-1 with an empty net goal.
Felix Sandstrom leads the tournament in goalkeeping with 4 goals against and 62 saves with a 93.94 save percentage overall.
Sweden’s next game is Saturday against the Czech Republic in Montreal at 1 p.m. EST.
Kayley Holloway
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