The junior team is chasing gold in Minnesota.
A full 13 years have passed since Sweden last won gold at the Junior World Championships. That was when current New York Rangers star Mika Zibanejad won the deciding game against Russia in Calgary, Canada.
In the opener against Slovakia, Sweden sorted it out after losing a 2–0 lead to draw 2–2. They won the match 3–2.
Dream start
A similar scenario unfolded in the next group stage match, against Switzerland. Blue and yellow got off to a good start and took the lead after just 53 seconds through Eric Nilson.
However, Switzerland did not give up and struck back. By the third period, the Swiss had turned the tables and Sweden was trailing, 1–2.
Not many people know what was said in the locker room at that moment. But it had an effect. Lucas Pettersson stepped up and scored two goals in Sweden's second straight victory in the tournament.
“Play faster”
The team's youngest player, Viggo Björck, also scored a goal and was named player of the match.
We started to realize that we should play the puck faster and play more as a team, he told SVT and continued:
It got a little too stressful at times. But it was nice to win.
Grabbing things on the ice, despite being the youngest on the squad, is not something Björck thinks about.
"It's just hockey and we want to win. I just want to take advantage of the opportunity when I get to play," said Björck.
On Monday, Sweden faces Germany and the group stage ends against the USA on New Year's Eve.
Quarterfinals will be played January 2–3, semifinals January 4–5, bronze medal match January 5 and final January 6.
