Forward stars Mika Zibanejad and Mikael Backlund have accepted to play in the home World Championship, which starts in a few weeks. Their top qualities could have been of help already on Thursday when the Swedish national team took on Finland in Raumo, in the first of two away games in as many days.
Already after 27 seconds, it was heard behind Timrå goalkeeper Tim Juel, when Waltteri Merelä tapped in a rebound to Finnish 1–0.
I think we start very tamely. Then I think we work ourselves into it. But overall, Finland wins significantly more duels, says Sweden's national team captain Sam Hallam to SVT.
Success season in Finland
Finland dominated the game and went to the first period break with a 2–0 lead after Atro Leppänen made it 2–0 on a power play with a little over a minute left to the break.
Leppänen has had a success season behind him. Despite playing for Vasa Sport, a team in the lower half of the Finnish league, he won the scoring league with 63 points in 60 matches and set a new point record for defenders.
Two minutes into the second period, he also made it 3–0 for Finland, also in numerical superiority.
"Frustrating"
Sweden evened out the game somewhat in the end of the period, was awarded a penalty shot, among other things, but did not get a grip on Finland. Instead, Eemil Erholtz and Joona Ikonen saw to it with each a goal in the final period to arrange a clear 5–0 win for the home team.
Overall, Finland wins clearly deserved, says Sam Hallam, whose team has now played six straight periods without a goal.
It's frustrating. We need to do better simply. It's about both clear chances and winning more rebounds and duels.
Tre Kronor gets a quick opportunity for revenge. Already on Friday, the countries meet again, then in Tavastehus.
Lasse Mannheimer/TT
Facts: Tre Kronor's World Championship preparation
TT
24–25 April: Double away games against Finland (Raumo and Tavastehus).
28 April–4 May: Czech Hockey Games (Kloten, Switzerland/Brno, Czech Republic).
9–25 May: World Championship in Stockholm and Herning, Denmark.
