3 takeaways from Sweden’s 3-2 loss against the USA
In two games so far at World Juniors 2022, Sweden has established itself as a team that is careful and calculating, waiting for a weakness to show itself so it can pounce. They started slowly against Switzerland in their first game, but when they took on Austria they were locked in, executing plays perfectly and exploiting holes in the opposition’s defence.
Related: 2022 WJC Day 6 Preview
However, the first two opponents were decided before they started, with Sweden all but coming into their third game undefeated. But that was where the real change lay, as they would have to face Team USA and decide which team would take first place in Pool B. The game promised to be good and it did not disappoint, but perhaps not in the way some expected. Here are three takeaways from Sweden’s tough loss against the USA.
Lekkerimaki looked dangerous in limited screenings
Jonathan Lekkerimaki played just 11:32 against the USA, the sixth-lowest total among Swedish players, and his average shift length was just over 30 seconds, also near the bottom of Sweden’s roster. But the few times he was on the ice, he was almost impossible to miss. He easily matched the Americans’ speed and could set up a couple of plays by simply getting into the corner first or quickly picking up a loose puck.
Like Oskar Magnusson against Switzerland, Lekkerimaki stepped up when his team needed him, but his age prevented the coach from using him more than necessary. He is the youngest on the roster and, together with Liam Ohgren and Ludvig Jansson, is only one of three 18-year-olds in the team. But he can also be one of the most skilled. It took him just 26 games in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) to score seven goals last season, while it took Austrian Marco Kasper 46 to hit the same total. World Junior teammate Theodor Niederbach scored two more than Lekkerimaki, but he needed 51 matches to do so.
Against Switzerland and Austria, Sweden’s defense got to shine when they could send hard shots from the blue line against weaker goalkeepers. But against faster, more skilled teams like the USA, Canada and Finland, Sweden will need players like Lekkerimaki who can get close and create high-danger scoring chances. This game, while a small sample, was more than enough proof that he deserves more ice time next game.
Sweden turns on the press too late
Sweden came out strong, matching the Americans’ shots and keeping the game tied until Brett Berard snuck a bouncing puck off Jesper Wallstedt six minutes into the game. The one goal gave the USA a jolt of energy and consumed Sweden’s, and soon after they took control of the game. Sweden managed to get 13 shots on net in the first period, then was limited to just three in the second.
Most of the third period wasn’t much better, with the Americans adding 10 more shots to Sweden’s two until Emil Andrae scored his first goal with less than 10 minutes left in the game. That goal put some blood back into Sweden’s veins and they rallied to take the game within one, but two minutes out of six on five just wasn’t enough time to get it together and force extra time.
Much of Sweden’s struggles can be blamed on the Americans’ speed and aggression. They relentlessly attacked the puck holders, forcing them to move the puck quickly and create turnovers. When they finally got around to carrying the puck up the ice, they were gassed and forced to chip the puck into the offensive zone, then duck back for a line change. Team Sweden’s patience and composure were completely worn down and they struggled to recover until it was too late.
But Sweden is partly to blame for their struggles, because they couldn’t take advantage of the opportunities they were given. The USA didn’t take many penalties throughout the game, giving Sweden just three power plays, but even with the man advantage, they couldn’t get many shots off. Their forwards were mostly quiet this game as well and much of the offensive responsibility seemed to fall on Simon Edvinsson and the rest of the defense. Almost half of the team’s 30 shots came from defensemen, and only two forwards had three shots each. That must change if Sweden is to compete for a medal.
Wallstedt stumbles, but recovers
The USA made it incredibly difficult for Sweden to generate any offense and it didn’t help that Wallstedt gave up two weak goals that put his team up early. The first goal by Berard came on a bouncing rebound that the goalie had no control over, and the second, scored by Matt Coronato, squeaked under the netminder’s arm. There were also some juicy rebounds at other times that could have been goals as well, but thankfully Wallstedt was able to make the second save thanks to his excellent athleticism.
However, Wallstedt shall not take any of the blame for this loss. Those goals, as well as one during the match against Switzerland, may be worrying for some fans, but there is little to worry about here. He is arguably the best goalkeeper in the tournament and owns the third highest save percentage (.922) after three appearances. In the game against the USA alone, he stopped 38 shots, giving him a .927 save percentage and placing him among some of the hardest-working goaltenders of all time.
One problem is defensive support. As previously mentioned, the defense has been used to generate a large portion of the offense, and with talents like Edvinsson, Andrae and Helge Grans, it is no wonder why they have been used more in the attack. But that then leaves Wallstedt without as much support around the net. Berard’s goal is almost a direct result of Edvinsson fanning a clearance attempt and the resulting pressure closer to the blue line than around the goal, where the American forward was waiting. Grans also had a particularly bad pass intercepted in front of Wallstedt which the Swedish goalkeeper was able to track down and stop.
While it’s great to get offensive support from the entire lineup, doing so at the expense of defensive support will cost Sweden games, even when a supremely talented player like Wallstedt is between the pipes. It will be something to work on as the team prepares for the next stage of the tournament.
First Germany, then the playoffs
Sweden is back in action on Monday night against Germany, who, like Switzerland, will rely on a physical game to limit Sweden’s chances. However, the Swedes should be able to defeat the weaker team, which will leave them second in Pool B when the World Juniors move into the play-off portion of the tournament on Wednesday. That would leave Sweden to take on Latvia, who secured theirs first win in tournament history over the Czech Republic. If they lose, they’ll have to face either Canada or Finland, which wouldn’t be a perfect matchup.
Guide to the 2022 World Junior Championships
2022 World Juniors schedule, groups, rosters, predictions and more
A player to watch from every team
10 things to look for
Breakout Candidates & Sleeper Prospects
Predictions for the 2022 Junior World Cup
Price contenders and predictions
Breakdown of the NHL team roster
2022 World Juniors: 2023 Draft-eligible players to watch
6 Predictions for the Junior World Cup 2022
All your coverage for the THW 2022 World Junior Championship
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.