Sweden and Russia dazzle in front of sold-out crowd
The Swedish and Russian teams put on quite a show for the fans at sold-out Prospera Place Tuesday night. Sweden would take the game 4-2, while they also defeated Team Russia during sudden death overtime.
The Russian’s took the first lead of the game when defender Alexander Romanov made a nifty move around the Swedes to fire a rocket past the Swedish goaltender, Samuel Ersson just under 13 minutes into the game. It would be the only goal of the period, Russia would hold a 1-0 lead.
Sweden Captain, Erik Branstrom tied the game when he launched a rocket past Russian goaltender, Petr Kochetkov 7:19 into the middle frame. The Swedes would make a goaltending change midway through the period replacing Ersson with Adam Ahman. The Triple Crown would take a 2-1 lead when Samuel Fagemo fired a one-timer home with 8:52 left in the period. Just seconds later the Team Russia would welcome Ahman, tying the game up on a nifty passing play finished by Vitali Kravtsov. They would enter the intermission tied at two through two periods of play.
Sweden’s Emil Bemstrom gave his team a 3-2 lead just under two minutes into the third period. Johan Sodergran would extend the lead to 4-2 on a short-handed goal with 16:53 left to play.
Following the third period, the two teams agreed to play sudden death three on three overtime. Sweden would ride the momentum into the extra frame, they would score just 1:38 in.
Team Sweden outshot Team Russia 36-18.
Russia will now travel to Kamloops to play the United States on Thursday in another pre-tournament game. They’ll wrap up their pre-tournament schedule on Sunday against Switzerland in Burnaby.
Sweden will play one final pre-tournament game on Saturday against Denmark in Chilliwack.
The World Junior tournament kicks off Boxing Day.
