Sweden faced their neighbor, Denmark, on Sunday and defeated them as expected. Group A has proven to be difficult for the favorites and given chances to the underdogs in matchups so far.
Denmark gave Sweden two power play opportunities, one less than a minute into the game and the second just a few minutes later. Sweden was unable to capitalize on them and Denmark answered with a power play goal from an interference penalty on Johan Fransson. Winnipeg Jets’ Nikolaj Ehlers put Denmark on the board and gave them the only lead they would have in the game. Ehlers’ goal was assisted by Jesper Jensen and Lars Eller.
Sweden started the second period with a penalty from Mikael Backlund, but Denmark was unsuccessful this time. Towards the middle of the period, Robert Rosen tied the game for Sweden, assisted by Oscar Fantenberg and Mattias Ritola. Just a minute later, a penalty called on Denmark’s Morten Madsen gave Sweden a shot at a power play. Backlund, 25 seconds, answered with a goal and gave Sweden a 2-1 lead.
Denmark only tallied eight shots on goal in the second period, and they couldn’t keep up with Sweden after ending up with back-to-back penalties. Madsen was called for a tripping call and Jensen got four minutes for high-sticking. Both penalties resulted in power play goals for Sweden. The first goal tallied by Magnus Nygren and Backlund scoring the second. Sweden finished off the second period with a 4-1 lead.
The fate of the game was practically sealed for Sweden after the second period, but for good measure, Gustav Nyquist put them on the board one more time, another power play goal for Sweden. With six seconds left in the game, Jensen grabbed one more point for Denmark, bringing the final score to 5-2.
Sweden’s Viktor Fasth made 23 saves this game for a 92% save percentage.
Sweden faced the Czechs on Monday and fell 4-2, putting them in 3rd place in Group A. Sweden will play Kazakhstan on Wednesday.
Kayley Holloway
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