Another loss means it looks difficult for the Swedes to take a top 2 spot in the group. That would mean a tough quarter-final - against one of the top teams in the other group in just over a week. Both Finland and Switzerland have started that group with three straight wins.
Sweden got off to a nightmare start in the match against the Czech Republic.
The Czechs' quick transitions hurt Tre Kronor repeatedly and after just 13 minutes of play, goalie Magnus Hellberg had to let three pucks pass him.
"That's where we lose the game a little," Mattias Ekholm tells Viaplay.
"We want a lot, but I think we are acting a little naively," national team captain Sam Hallam tells Viaplay.
In connection with the 3–0 goal, a fight broke out between several players and the Czech Republic's Jan Scotka received a match penalty for a cross-check to the face of Detroit defender Albert Johansson.
That was Sweden's opening in the match.
Comeback
Team captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson received a two-minute suspension in the same sequence, but when it was over, three minutes of play in numerical superiority awaited - and Sweden scored two goals.
Joel Persson scored his first national team goal and then the Växjö defender played Simon Holmström through to make it 2-3.
"It's time to score my first goal," Persson tells Viaplay.
"We can't stop their counterattacks," he adds about the three goals conceded.
Took over after a cold shower
In the second period, Sweden took over - but only after a cold shower. Magnus Hellberg saved a pass from Jiri Cernoch with his glove, but was knocked into his own goal by Simon Holmström, who lost his balance. After video review, it was determined that Hellberg's glove, and thus the puck, had crossed the goal line.
Sweden scored its third goal on the power play through Oliver Ekman-Larsson and reduced the deficit again. Detroit star Lucas Raymond also had an equalizer in the net, but it was ruled out when Jacob de la Rose stood in the goal area and obstructed the Czech goalkeeper.
The final period was goalless.
"I think we should have had some clear scoring chances and found some way to regain the clear advantage we had in the third," Sam Hallam tells Viaplay.
15/5: Canada 3–5.
17/5: Denmark 6–2.
18/5: Czech Republic 3–4.
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.
