Sweden’s U-18 team had the perfect start to the 2023 edition of the Hlinka Gretzky Cup cruising past Germany to take all three points, while for the Germans it was an afternoon to forget.
The team in blue and yellow broke the deadlock at the 15-minute marker when Viktor Olofsson knocked the puck into the crease for the group-opening goal. However, just 19 second later Viggo Nordlund managed to get another past the goal line to secure a two-goal lead for the Swedes.
Sweden scored their third of the 12-goal game just 23 seconds into the middle frame curtesy of Alexandr Zetterberg on the powerplay. The Germans scored their sole goal of the game in the 28th minute when one of the German players hit the post but an in-position Simon Seidl managed to fire it in off the rebound.
The rest of the game was controlled from start to finish by the Swedes who opened the flood gates on the goals – scoring two more to make it 5-1 by the second intermission.
The final frame was a six-goal battering of Germany, with Sweden scoring five in the space of just over six minutes, as Alexandr Zetterberg scored his second of the game.
Reactions
Johan Serén (Sweden): It was a great start to the tournament. We had ten different goal scorers, which is great for the boys and their confidence. We played full 60 minutes very well. We want to win the tournament, but it will be quite difficult games. Even against the Czechs. But today we will enjoy having such a great start to the season.
Tobias Abstreiter (Germany): We played quite well in the first period. We had good substitutions, we made good decisions in the game. The second and third periods were something that we definitely have to improve on and we have to explain that to the players as well. We want to improve for the next game and we will work on it.
In brief
Pre-tournament games
21.6. - The final pre-tournament games will be played on Saturday, 29th July. The Czech Republic will host Canada in Břeclav at 18:30 CET, 12:30 ET. Meanwhile, Slovakia will host the USA in Trenčín at 17:00 CET. Coverage of these games will be available at eurolivescores.com/.
Instagram of HGC
1.6. - The official instagram of Hlinka Gretzky Cup is availible here.
Interested in history?
6.2. - Do you know who won the Cup last year? Which team has won the most gold medals? HERE you can review the history.
MENU
/swe-ger-radost-4515.jpg)
