Sweden got a good start against Team Canada, getting a 3-0 lead after the first period. However, after 60 minutes of play the scoreboard read 4-6 in favor of Canada. Another team that turned the tide in their game was Norway that managed to get a 3-2 win against Slovakia.
Sweden 4-6 Canada
Anton Lander could score the first goal for Sweden in the first period. Goalie Mike Smith and superstar Sidney Crosby stood and watched as Lander went in front of the net and put the puck in low. The second goal came through the skate of Victor Rask after a shot from Oscar Klefbom. Nashville rookie Filip Forsberg did the third goal of the period behind a Mike Smith that so far didn’t have a good game. In the second period however, Canada raised their game. Their offensive play got smarter, faster and stronger and the Swedish defenders started to make mistakes. John Klingberg did some unfortunate plays in Sweden’s defensive zone. Aaron Ekblad scored 1-3 after a delayed penalty. Swedish head coach Pär Mårts called for a time-out, which probably was a good call seeing where the game were going, but didn’t get any effect. More mistakes lead to a Canadian penalty on which Taylor Hall did no mistake. 14:23 into the middle period Sean Couturier tied the game 3-3. However, only a minute later Sweden’s Oscar Möller gave them the lead again, putting away the slap shot above Mike Smith’s shoulder. Even though the lead was kept 10 minutes into the third period the feeling was that this was Canada’s game. The Swedish defenses looked uncomfortable and they often looked for complicated solutions, seeking passes to forwards who were to far up the rink. 4-4 came after Crosby snatched the puck behind the Swedish goal, doing the work before Patrick Wiercioch could score the equalizer. A few minutes later Team Canada got their first power play of the game and they did no mistake. Tyler Ennis gave them the lead. The last goal, 4-6 came in open net. Sweden will face Germany in their next game while Canada gets to rest for a day before facing France.
Slovakia 2-3 Norway
Before the game against Slovakia Norway was in the last spot in group B, fighting for their existence in the tournament. They had never managed to get a win against Slovkia, having eight straight losses in World Championships and Olympic games. For a time, it looked like this would be a ninth loss. Tomas Surovy gave Slovakia the lead late in the first period and Marek Daloga scored 2-0 early in the second. However, Norway showed good moral. A few minutes after 2-0 they got the chance in Power play. Mattias Norstebo cut the Slovakian lead in half. Ten minutes later Mats Rosseli Olsen scored the equalizer. The score was now 2-2 before the last period. Another power play goal signed Norstebo (Holo got his second assist of the game) meant a 2-3 lead for Norway which also was the final score. Slovakia will face Finland in the next game.
Another team that took their first victory in this tournament was Latvia who beat Switzerland in overtime, 2-1. Russia beat Denmark 5-2, almost loosing a 3-0 lead when the Danes scored two straight goals. However, unlike Sweden, the Russians managed to close the game..
