Despite a second-period let-down, Sweden managed to stay perfect at the 2018 World Juniors with a 3-1 win over the feisty Czech Republic on Thursday.
Alexander Nylander had a goal and an assist for Sweden, and Marcus Davidsson and Elias Pettersson chipped in singles for Sweden, which cashed in twice on the power play. Rasmus Dahlin added two assists.
Swedish coach Tomas Monten continued to ride the phenomenal Dahlin. The 17-year-old Frolunda Gothenburg defenceman also led the team with 20:50 in the 6-1 win over Belarus.
Filip Zadina replied for the Czechs.
Despite this loss, the Czechs, who opened with a 5-4 upset of Russia, have shown they can’t be taken lightly here in Buffalo. They are questing for their first medal since 2005's bronze in North Dakota.
Swedish starter Filip Gustavsson made 24 saves for the victory, and Jakub Skarek had 34 saves for the Czechs.
The Juniorkronorna carried the play in the first period. Davidsson opened the scoring from the slot at 5:56, converting Axel Jonsson Fjallby’s gorgeous back pass from Skarek’s right post on the rush. It was video-reviewed for goalie interference but deemed good.
On the power play, Pettersson notched Sweden’s second goal with a wicked wrister from the left faceoff circle at 19:04.
The Czechs pushed back in the second period, outshooting Sweden 14-7. They nearly got on the board when defenceman Radim Salda rang one off the cross bar near the midway point.
Sweden ran into penalty trouble, taking three minors in the middle frame, and the Czechs, hustling hard, finally capitalized. At 19:02, Zadina’s one-timer snap shot found the twine. The 18-year-old World Junior rookie has scored in both his games so far.
With a 5-on-3 man advantage for 1:35 early in the third, the Czechs had a golden opportunity to tie it up, but couldn't. That failure proved costly.
The Swedes made it 3-1 at 4:25 on their next power play when Nylander coolly cut in and whizzed one over Skarek's glove. After that, it was smooth sailing.
Sweden has won 10 straight World Junior games against the Czechs. The last Czech victory was 3-1 on December 31, 2002 in Halifax, Canada.
LUCAS AYKROYD
Alexander Nylander had a goal and an assist for Sweden, and Marcus Davidsson and Elias Pettersson chipped in singles for Sweden, which cashed in twice on the power play. Rasmus Dahlin added two assists.
Swedish coach Tomas Monten continued to ride the phenomenal Dahlin. The 17-year-old Frolunda Gothenburg defenceman also led the team with 20:50 in the 6-1 win over Belarus.
Filip Zadina replied for the Czechs.
Despite this loss, the Czechs, who opened with a 5-4 upset of Russia, have shown they can’t be taken lightly here in Buffalo. They are questing for their first medal since 2005's bronze in North Dakota.
Swedish starter Filip Gustavsson made 24 saves for the victory, and Jakub Skarek had 34 saves for the Czechs.
The Juniorkronorna carried the play in the first period. Davidsson opened the scoring from the slot at 5:56, converting Axel Jonsson Fjallby’s gorgeous back pass from Skarek’s right post on the rush. It was video-reviewed for goalie interference but deemed good.
On the power play, Pettersson notched Sweden’s second goal with a wicked wrister from the left faceoff circle at 19:04.
The Czechs pushed back in the second period, outshooting Sweden 14-7. They nearly got on the board when defenceman Radim Salda rang one off the cross bar near the midway point.
Sweden ran into penalty trouble, taking three minors in the middle frame, and the Czechs, hustling hard, finally capitalized. At 19:02, Zadina’s one-timer snap shot found the twine. The 18-year-old World Junior rookie has scored in both his games so far.
With a 5-on-3 man advantage for 1:35 early in the third, the Czechs had a golden opportunity to tie it up, but couldn't. That failure proved costly.
The Swedes made it 3-1 at 4:25 on their next power play when Nylander coolly cut in and whizzed one over Skarek's glove. After that, it was smooth sailing.
Sweden has won 10 straight World Junior games against the Czechs. The last Czech victory was 3-1 on December 31, 2002 in Halifax, Canada.
LUCAS AYKROYD