Just like last year, Tre Kronor started the season with a friendly match against the Czech Republic. A year ago, the national team was down 0-4 after the first period at Vida Arena in Växjö.
The start in Karlovy Vary was similar: a 0-3 deficit.
Daniel Gazda took advantage of Victor Söderström's crazy pass in his own zone and scored 1-0 in the cross behind goalkeeper Erik Källgren after 7.02. Filip Pyrochta made it 2-0 and Pavel Kousal 3-0.
Another sign of Sweden's poor first period: Tre Kronor only managed one shot on goal, the Czech Republic ten.
Dennis Rasmussen scored the reducer early in the second period, but before the period was over, Gazda ensured that the Czech Republic maintained their goal difference ahead of the last 20 minutes of the match.
After 7.10, Oskar Lang scored to make it 2-4, but Sweden didn't get any closer. Instead, Jakub Flek scored into an empty net to make it 5-2 - and the Czech Republic won with the same score as last year.
Tre Kronor will next travel to Helsinki for the weekend's matches against Switzerland and Finland.
Later in the season, among other things, the NHL 4 Nations in Montreal and Boston await, and in the spring, the World Championship will be played on home soil.
November 7-10: Karjala Tournament, remaining matches: Switzerland on Saturday and Finland on Sunday, both in Helsinki.
December 9-15: Swiss Hockey Games, Switzerland.
February 3-9: Beijer Hockey Games, Stockholm.
February 10-20: NHL 4 Nations, Montreal and Boston (only NHL players).
April 14-25: Finnkampen, Finland and Sweden.
April 28-May 4: Czech Hockey Games, Czech Republic.
May 9-25: World Championship, Stockholm and Herning, Denmark. Sweden will play all their matches in Stockholm, where the semifinals and medal matches will also be decided.
