3 takeaways from Sweden’s 6-3 win over Russia
Team Sweden began their junior WC 2022 with an emphatic 6-3 victory over Russia, and silenced anyone who doubts its legitimacy as a top challenger in Group B while showing off their core strengths – solid goalkeeping skills and hockey IQ that are off the lists .
A match is hardly a reliable benchmark, but considering the alternative, the Swedes could not have impressed so much more on Sunday. The win was the first step in Sweden’s attempt to return to the medal podium for the first time since he took bronze in the 2020 tournament, or even take gold, which has not happened since the 2012 championship.
Here are the biggest excerpts from the Swedes’ 6-3 victory against Russia on Sunday.
Sweden’s Special Team is something special
Team Sweden scored four goals for special teams – three on powerplay and one on shorthanded – on their way to their tournament opening victory, while only allowing Russia to score one goal with the upper hand. The Swedes distributed the puck well throughout their powerplay and scored goals from the New Jersey Devils’ top prospect Alexander Holtz, Colorado Avalanche prospect Oskar Olausson and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Emil Andrae.
Related: Guide to the 2022 Junior World Championship
The game of the sparkling special teams did not end there. Detroit Red Wings prospect Simon Edvinsson scored a brief goal in the second period, giving Sweden a 2-0 lead at the time, while officially announcing the team’s arrival at the tournament. The 18-year-old defender squeaked the puck through Russian goalkeeper Yaroslav Askarov, who was drafted 11th overall by the Nashville Predators 2020.
Sweden took full advantage of Russia’s mental mistakes, and that was the difference in the match, especially considering that Russia beat 30-24. Still, the Swedes took advantage of their opportunities while playing a disciplined match, and even though the Russians took a short rally in the third period, the outcome of the match never felt really doubtful.
Jesper Wallstedt is like Good as Advertised
Wallstedt is the type of goalkeeper who can make a team feel really good if it scores six goals in a match, and Sunday’s win was no exception. The 19-year-old Minnesota Wild prospect stopped 27 of the 30 shots he encountered and made several important saves to protect Sweden’s lead, especially in the middle of the third period when Russia looked set to make a comeback.
His performance between the pipes was one thing, but the goalkeeper’s allure was at its peak at the end of the third period after Russia pulled its goalkeeper for an extra striker. Wallstedt took a shot, which eventually missed and resulted in icing with just over a minute left, even though Sweden was not worse for the wear and tear after the subsequent face off.
Striker Daniel Ljungman finally made an empty net player to secure the victory.
Wallstedt’s performance clearly does not come as a surprise to everyone who has followed the phenomenon’s career recently, especially considering that he has scored 1.82 goals against the average (GAA) and a save percentage of 0.923 (SV%) in 17 matches this season with Luleå HF in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL)). His presence gives a noticeable boost to a team that did not have a goalkeeper in the top five in last year’s championship.
Sweden’s well-balanced attack suffocated Russia
Edvinsson’s three-point night on Sunday stood out, but he was far from alone on the goal record. Sweden used a remarkably balanced points attack on the way to their six-goal night, and five players scored two points in addition to Edvinsson’s three.
The Russians gathered after falling 4-1 early in the third period, thanks to back-to-back goals from 17-year-old Matvei Michkov, but Sweden responded to the adversity with resounding confidence after Theodor Niederbach, another Red Wings prospectus, restored its two-goal lead.
“We were pretty sharp and had a good mindset,” said Edvinsson after the match. – The game had its ups and downs, but we were strong in defense and in front of their nets as well. I think we did a good job. “
In total, eight players in Team Sweden took at least one point, and all six goals were scored by another player. That kind of versatility, combined with Wallstedt’s ability in the net, will probably make the Swedes a difficult match every night.
Sweden meets Slovakia on Monday night
There is no rest for the tired, and Team Sweden meets Slovakia, who lost a 3-2 decision to Team USA on Sunday night, in the second of back-to-back matches at 9:30 ET on Monday. The Swedes then have a day off on Tuesday before they regroup to play against defending champions Americans on Wednesday night.
Guide to the junior WC 2022
Draft qualified players to watch
One player to watch from each team
10 things to look for
Breakout Candidates & Sleeper Prospects
Predictions for the junior WC 2022
Price challengers and predictions
Division of the list of the NHL team
Invitations to selection camps from the NHL team
All your coverage for the THW 2022 World Junior Championship
An avid hockey fan in the desert and proud Iowa State alum. Detroit Red Wings and Arizona Coyotes contributors to The Hockey Writers.