The New Year arrived at midnight local time in Sweden, but it was only in the second period that the fireworks really began.
Sweden already had a 1–0 lead after Casper Juustovaara Karlsson scored the opening goal of the match about halfway through the first period.
A good end to the year and a good start for those back home, notes Lucas Pettersson on SVT.
Pettersson and Eddie Genborg would prove to be the ones who really kicked off Sweden's New Year's celebrations. The duo scored two goals each in the space of twelve minutes. The USA managed just two in total in the entire second period.
"It's fun to play hockey today. These are the games you want to play as a hockey player. Then you just have to go out and drive," says Pettersson, who was named player of the match.
The third period was full of heated emotions after the USA received two penalties in quick succession, a few minutes after Teddy Stiga's thrilling 3–5 goal. The American crowd seemed to tire after Ivar Stenberg's 6–3 power-play goal, and left the arena in large numbers.
I saw that the audience started to drop out more and more. It's a win and very important for us, says Eddie Genborg.
Sweden will face Latvia, who finished fourth in the other group, in the quarter-finals. The match will be played tomorrow, Friday, at 8 p.m. local time in Sweden.
The USA will face either Finland or the Czech Republic, depending on how “Smålejonen” fares in the match against Canada. That match is ongoing.
