Sweden vs United States
Result: Sweden 1, USA 0
Axel Holmstrom: Goose eggs on the box score
Christoffer Ehn: 1 SOG
Linus Soderstrom made 46 saves for Sweden and Alexander Nylander scored their only goal as they shut out the United States. The States outshot Sweden 46-22 and Soderstrom’s outstanding performance was a big reason Sweden won the game. The United States had 8 power play chances, including a lengthy 5 on 3 but they couldn’t put a dent in Soderstrom’s armour. Alexander Nylander had this beauty backhand goal to give Sweden all they’d need to win the game.
Alex Nylander with the breakaway goal to put Sweden up 1-0 pic.twitter.com/ZOOlT2LmpC
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) December 28, 2015
Late in the 3rd period and down by a goal, the US took a too many men penalty, and then Matthew Tkachuk hick sticked Axel Holmstrom in the face to put his team down by 2 men.
From the little I could watch of the game, Holmstrom did a good job of doing the dirty work, retrieving the puck on the power play The more I watch Holmstrom, the more I love his brand of skill and grit (yeah, I went there) combined, and the way he gets under other player’s skin. That combined with his personality, love of hockey, and his honesty and maturity have made me fall in love with him very quickly.
As for Christoffer Ehn, my super duper (not so) secret Swedish source has told me that he received a lot of praise for his performance today, especially on the penalty kill.
Lots of praise for Christoffer Ehn in the press tonight in Sweden, great game vs US. #RedWings @wingingitmotown
— Patrik B (@Zeb_Habs) December 28, 2015
Ehn plays a very different style than Holmstrom, but his quiet contributions have a positive impact on the team for sure.
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Russia vs Finland
Result: Russia 6, Finland 4
Evgeny Svechnikov: 1 SOG, -2
Vili Saarijarvi: 2 SOG, -1
FInland had a 3-1 lead early in the 2nd period, but they couldn’t maintain their lead and Russia’s 3 power play goals, 2 even strength goals, and a shorthanded tally were too much for Finland to contain, and Russia scored 4 goals in a 7:22 span in the 2nd period. Russia’s 2nd goal, the shorthanded tally came when Finland lost the puck in the neutral zone, and Vili Saarijarvi was left to defend a 2 on 1 from the Russian penalty killers. No dice for Vili and Russia wouldn’t let up. I didn’t get to watch much of the game, and in the little I could catch I didn’t notice Evgeny Svechnikov.
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Canada vs Denmark
Result: Canada 6, Denmark 1
Joe Hicketts: 1 Assist (power play)
Denmark scored first and was tied 1-1 after the 1st period, which put most of the Canadian media in shock. However no one expected Canada to lost to the Danes, and Canada responded by exploding for 4 goals in the 2nd period and another in the 3rd to take a dominant 6-1 win. Canada outshot Denmark 58-11, yes by THAT much and Danish goalie Mathias Seldrup was rightfully named Denmark’s player of the game. Joe Hicketts had a power play assist for Canada on their 3-1 goal There was plenty of controversy in
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Tomorrow Russia takes on Belarus at 9:00 AM EST, and Canada takes on Switzerland at 1:00 PM EST.
