Sweden v. USA, part II
With the USA and Canada climbing their semifinal spots as the top two teams in Group A and Sweden and Finland winning their quarterfinals against Slovakia and the Czech Republic respectively, all four semifinal teams come from Group A.
In the early game, Team USA takes on Sweden, and after pushing the American team in an intense, albeit penalty-filled game a week ago, the hosts are hoping they can find another gear and get over the line this time.
A key for the Swedes is also one of hockey’s oldest axioms: stay out of the penalty box. Although the Americans took more penalties (16 minutes) than the Swedes (12) in the first game, they also scored three power-play goals – and an empty netter – in the game that ended 6-3.
If Sweden can stay out of the box, they can match Team USA in 5-on-5 play.
In defense, the Swedes have a good foundation to build on. Head coach Andreas Karlsson relies heavily on Mira Jungaker, Jenna Raunio and Astrid Lindeberg, who average 20 minutes of ice time. All three also lead the defense in points – Jungaker has four points, Raunio and Lindeberg three each – and shots taken.
Jungaker is a great playmaker, Raunio has a cannon and Lindeberg is a fantastic all-round player that all coaches love to have in their teams. The rest of the Swedish defense also quickly moves the puck up the ice and Linnea Natt och Dag also has two goals and three points in the tournament.
“We feel safe, we have a clear game plan that we all follow. I know where my teammates will be and how we can get out of certain situations,” said Jungaker.
Up front, it has been Hilda Svensson’s line that has provided the most offense, where Svensson and linemate Mira Markström linked up after Karlsson put them together after two games. Markström has four points – all assists – in the tournament as does Mira Hallin, whose speed will also cause problems for the Americans.
And between the pipes, Karlsson will surely nod to Felicia Frank, who has been more than solid in the net. She has played three of the four games and has posted a 91.38 save percentage. The only match where she was a backup was the first one against the USA. Maybe that was coach Karlsson’s plan all along?
Now Team USA is obliged to get solid goalkeeper from Annelies Bergmann as well. Her save percentage in the two games she has played is 91.04. Layla Hemp only conceded one goal in the game against Finland, so should she get the nod, the USA has nothing to worry about.
What the Americans have plenty of is speed and intensity. While Sweden has a good and experienced defense, they will have to be on their toes with the American forecheckers. Finley McCarthy and Joy Dunne can wreak havoc in the corners, and as soon as the puck hits Maggie Scannell’s blade it’s in the net. She scored a team-leading four goals and seven points in the opening three games.
One player that Svensson, Hallin and the other Swedes will see a lot is Molly Jordan, who has averaged nearly 27 minutes per game. With two days rest, Jordan will be ready to play at least 27 more against Sweden. Gabrielle Kim is also playing more than twenty minutes per game, and she is plus-5 in the tournament, best on Team USA.
It’s sure to be another battle where neither team is willing to give up any space on the ice, and who knows, it could come down to a game. The Swedes have been strong on the dot, with Ebba Hedqvist topping the statistics with 91.30 percent. She has only lost two of her 23 matches. Emma Rehn has won 69 percent and Svensson 60.8 percent of their faceoffs. Best American is Scannell, 49.30.
Players to watch:
Sweden
The team’s play usually runs through Mira Jungaker, a skilled defender, who also backs up the power play.
USA
Margaret Scannell is tied for second in tournament points with four goals and seven points in three games.
Puck Drop at 16:00 CET (10:00 ET)