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Tre Kronor Wins Group C in Uninspiring Fashion |
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On the strength of four power play goals that helped them overcome an often-sloppy and uninspired performance, Team Sweden battled back from a 2-1 deficit in the second period to hold off underdog Latvia by a 5-3 score. With the victory, Tre Kronor clinched first place in preliminary round Group C and an automatic spot in the medal round quarterfinals.
Patrik Berglund, Erik Karlsson, Daniel Alfredsson and Jimmie Ericsson notched power play goals for Sweden, as they took a 4-2 lead to the second intermission. Alexander Edler added a third period insurance goal at even strength to close out the scoring.
After Berglund put the Swedes ahead 1-0 with 4:10 left in the first period, Lauris Darzins tied the game with a power play marker at 18:48. In the second period, the Latvians briefly forged ahead as Janis Sprukts -- one of the brightest spots for his team in the tournament -- deflected a puck past Henrik Lundqvist (20 saves).
Ultimately, the Latvian parade to the penalty box proved to be their team's undoing. The Swedes did not defend very well at times and their puck management also left something to be desired. Latvian goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis stopped 25 of 30 shots.
Buoyed by the team's power play success, four Swedish players recorded multi-point games. Alfredsson, Karlsson and Edler each had a goal and an assist. Daniel Sedin was credited with a pair of assists.
Team Sweden is 3-0-0 in the tournament without bringing their A game in any of their matches thus far. Tre Kronor played 25 dominant minutes in their opener against the Czech Republic, building a 4-0 lead. Thereafter, the team's intensity level and execution dropped significantly and the team skated off with an uneven 4-2 win.
On Friday against Switzerland, the Swedes were outplayed significantly in the first period. Only the outstanding goaltending of Henrik Lundqvist prevented the Swiss -- who skate and defend well and also have strong goaltending -- from taking the lead. After two-and-a-half scoreless periods, Alfredsson scored the game's only goal on a gift rebound allowed by Swiss netminder Reto Berra (who was otherwise excellent).
With team captain Henrik Zetterberg lost for the tournament and the likes of Henrik Sedin and Johan Franzén also unavailable, the current edition of Tre Kronor is still searching for an identity. They will have a few days to practice and try to come together in the medal round. Better 60-minute performances will be needed to take home a medal.
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