MENU
The first duel of Group B in Piešťany promised a one-sided affair, but the opposite was true. Although the Germans lost the first period 2-0, they managed to score three times between the 24th and 40th minutes. The Swedes then recovered, controlled the third and with the final score of 5-3, started the tournament with a win.
Penalties: 6:4. PP goals: 0:1. SH goals: 1:1.
Referees: Novák, Hronský – Konc ml., Gegáň. Attendance: 185.
Photogallery
Report
The Northerners started the game better with two goals in seven minutes. Firstly, Jonathan Lekkerimaki scored from the left circle and used the double powerplay.
Four minutes later, the Sweden goal horn was played again. With a perfect pass, Hävelid found Liam Öhgren, who aimed to a hole between goalie's pads. But the Germans did not give up. At the beginning of the second period, Lukas Ullmann sent Matthias Pischoff into a breakaway and Pischoff scored after a nice backhand deke.
And when Moritz Elias shot precisely in the upper corner of the Swedish goal, a surprising drama was set.
However, even that did not stop the Germans in the second part of the match. Less than a minute before the siren, Roman Kechter scored a short-handed goal.
That moment woke Tre Kronor up. In the final twenty minutes, the Swedes improved their skating and combination, which led to the second goal of Liam Öhgren.
In less than two minutes, the red light behind the German goal shone again. Tim Almgren quickly orientated himself in the slot and by the rebound, he returned the lead to his team.
Leo Carlsson confirmed the winner of the match twenty-five seconds before the end, all he had to do was clear the puck into an empty goal.