Björck was responsible for the 5–1 goal on a power play in the second period. He was assisted by teammate Ivar Stenberg, also 18 and another top prospect.
"We have played together in every national-team session in the juniors and now in Tre Kronor. We think alike, and it's great fun to play with him," Stenberg tells Radiosporten.
Against Canada, both Björck and Stenberg were scoreless but created good chances alongside Detroit star Lucas Raymond, 24, who scored one of the goals.
The first line delivered
Against Denmark, the trio on the first line combined for seven points.
Lucas Raymond had one goal and two assists, Björck had one goal and one assist and Stenberg had two assists. This led to Tre Kronor's first victory in this World Cup in Fribourg, Switzerland after the opening loss to Canada, 3–5.
The front line was involved from the start - but it was two veteran NHL defenders who finished.
Mattias Ekholm, the 35-year-old Edmonton defenseman, fired in the opening goal - his second goal of the tournament. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Toronto’s 34-year-old, made it 2–0.
"Always fun to get some chances and be able to put them in. I probably could have had a few more today too, but it's very positive. It's not my usual role in the NHL to score goals," says Ekholm.
SM gold medalists reduced
In the second period, Denmark had a goal ruled out, and scorer Nick Olesen was sent off. It took only 43 seconds for Raymond to score his second World Cup goal.
Jakob Silfverberg made it 4–0, Joachim Blichfeld cut the deficit against World Cup debutant goalkeeper Arvid Söderblom of Chicago, but then Viggo Björck scored the 5–1 goal.
"That's to some extent what will be our success factor. That we can get the youthful enthusiasm, that they can drive it, but that we can back them up," says Ekholm.
In the final period, Skellefteå's SM gold medalist Mikkel Aagaard cut the lead to 5–2 on a power play, before Linus Karlsson made it 6–2.
Tre Kronor will play again on Monday evening when the Czech Republic awaits.
15/5: Canada 3–5.
17/5: Denmark 6–2.
18/5: Czech Republic (20:20).
20/5: Slovenia (20:20).
22/5: Italy (20:20).
23/5: Norway (20:20).
26/5: Slovakia (16:20).
The quarterfinals will be played on the 28th, the semifinals on the 30th and the medal matches on the 31st of May.
