3 takeaways from Sweden’s 3-2 win against Switzerland
It’s fair to say that wasn’t how Sweden wanted to start the rescheduled 2022 World Juniors. Although they came away with the win, they struggled to create momentum or counter Switzerland’s simple, hard-working play. The Swedes, armed with some of the best prospects in the world, are expected to compete for the gold medal, but after that display they will need to improve their efforts significantly if they want to reach that goal.
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Still, there were some moments of vintage Swedish skill on display during the game. Daniel Torgersson’s two goals, the first of which came towards the end of the second period, were just what the team needed to get back into the game after a very slow start. Overall, they looked rusty, which is to be expected for a tournament that takes place in the middle of summer. Fortunately, the issues promise to resolve as they progress through the round robin and into the playoffs.
Wallstedt is the real deal
While much of the team passed out in the first period, putting just four shots on Swiss goaltender Noah Patenaude, the same could not be said at the other end of the ice. Jesper Wallstedt looked strong, calm and unbeatable from the start of the game, turning away all nine of Switzerland’s shots in the first period, then another six in the second. He was always there, staring down the shooter and able to pull off some incredible saves when needed. It was just what the Swedes needed, as they couldn’t stay out of the box and conceded four straight penalties in the first 40 minutes.
Of course, that is exactly what Wallstedt should be for Sweden. He’s been one of the best goaltending prospects in the world over the past two seasons, and even received some consideration as a first-round pick in 2021 before the Minnesota Wild snagged him 20th overall. He is one of the most decorated goalkeepers in Swedish history, and is doing his part Swedish U20 league debut as a 14-year-old in 2017, and then made his first professional appearance at 17. However, internationally he has been somewhat inconsistent; at times he posts a .936 save percentage and allows less than two goals per game, while at other times he has a .890 save percentage and allows over three goals.
That inconsistency seems to have almost left him as he approaches 20 years old. Yes, he allowed two goals on 23 shots, giving him a less-than-optimal save percentage, but that wasn’t too concerning either. The first appeared to be a strange bounce based on his reaction – he’s clearly made that save dozens of times – and the second was entirely on the team’s defense, giving Dario Allenspach all the time in the world to pick his spot.
The balance and skill that Wallstedt brings to Sweden’s circuit could prove to be the secret weapon the team needs to make it to the gold medal game. He alone sits atop the goalkeeping pyramid at this year’s World Juniors and will be a favorite to be named the best goalkeeper of the tournament. Even when the team around him struggled, he kept them alive while struggling a bit himself. If this is the worst he gets, then this will be a very difficult team to beat.
Sweden’s discipline must improve
While Wallstedt’s performance kept Sweden alive in a match where they looked outmatched at times against a much weaker opponent, the team’s discipline overturned almost all of their efforts. Three penalties in the first period alone and three in the offensive zone stopped all momentum, preventing them from getting anything going until five minutes remained in the second period. Then, after allowing two quick goals to make it 3-2, Theodor Niederbach took his third penalty of the game, an uncharacteristically dangerous bump that resulted in a five-minute major and a foul.
Penalties were far from the only problem, as Sweden constantly tried to pull off nice plays only to turn the puck over to the Swiss, or fumble the puck and allow the Swiss to pick it up and create a scoring chance. It was strange to see the Swedes looking like they hadn’t played hockey since June. The plays were sloppy, the defensive pressure was lax and it almost allowed Switzerland to tie the game late in the third.
Part of the issue may be the absence of defenseman Anton Olsson, who is out with an injury, and Leo Lööf, who received a game error back in December for a dangerous hit on Slovakia’s Simon Nemec, which left Sweden’s defense rather depleted. Olsson was a particularly tough loss as he came in as the team’s shutdown specialist, but Lööf’s physicality was also missed as Switzerland clearly outplayed the Swedes in the first 40 minutes.
Magnusson steps up
Coming into the 2022 World Juniors, fans expected big things from the team’s big stars like Wallstedt, Simon Edvinsson and Fabian Lysell, all of whom were first rounders. However, it was little-known Oskar Magnusson, a Washington Capitals seventh round pick in 2020, who was one of the team’s best players. He showed a tireless work ethic and lightning speed as he tried to pounce on every loose puck and regain possession for the Swedes. When he was on the ice, he was always where he needed to be, and his efforts were almost rewarded with a goal on a breakaway, but the puck ricocheted off the post.
Although Magnusson established himself as an up-tempo player with AIK in the Swedish Allsvenskan, he was not expected to be a big difference in the World Juniors. With such a deep lineup, he was slated to start the game on the fourth line, but as the team struggled, he was given a bigger role and finished the game with the seventh most minutes of any Swedish forward. Longtime national team coach Tomas Montén rewarded his early efforts with a bigger role as the game progressed, and he stepped up and contributed everywhere except the score sheet. With Niederbach forced to sit out the next game, look for Magnusson to jump up the lineup.
Sweden must be better against Austria
Sweden’s next match comes on Friday against Austria, another weaker team that they should beat, even if they are not playing their best. However, the Swedes cannot afford to start their next match sluggishly again. Austria will be another team that, despite their lack of offensive firepower, will work hard every shift and look to capitalize on bad penalties and bad plays. If Sweden can’t figure out their discipline issues and early game pace against them, they will have a nightmare of a time against Team USA, who they face on Sunday. Now is the time to iron out problems and prepare for tougher opponents, which they will inevitably face again in the playoffs.
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Dayton is an elementary school teacher by day and an avid hockey fan. Dayton joined The Hockey Writers in 2019 and currently covers the Ottawa Senators, World Juniors and the NHL Entry Draft.