The situation, which was captured by the television cameras, showed how Eklund received a hard blow to the leg from Timrås Anton Lander's stick. The Djurgården player limped straight to the box and was unable to finish the match. Lander was sent off for slashing.
Eklund was a self-described "student" earlier this week when national team captain Magnus Hävelid presented the JVM squad. The forward is expected to carry heavy offensive responsibility along with Anton Frondell and Ivar Stenberg.
The Junior Crowns will travel to the USA on December 13th and play three practice matches before the tournament starts on December 26th.
The SHL match ended in a draw, 2–2, and had to be decided on penalties. The home team Djurgården pulled out the win after 17-year-old Viggo Björck scored the decisive penalty. Björck has also been selected for the JVM.
