Ice Hockey World Cup 2021 | Sweden – Slovakia 3: 1, The Northerners escaped from the hockey stick graveman and stayed in the playoff game

Slovak goalkeeper Adam Húska collects a goal from the Swede Marcus Sörensen.

Ints Kalnins, Reuters

The Swedes lost 0: 1, but in the second period they managed to equalize shortly after the end of the power play and in the third part they turned the match in their favor. First Victor Olofsson won the numerical advantage and then in the power play of the opponent Isac Lundeström.

“It was a very even match, hockey was played up and down. Unfortunately, in the last ten minutes we got into chances and I don’t think there were about three fouls whistled at us. And immediately after that they whistled a foul to the Swedes, who gave the second one. At the end, we tried to equalize, but unfortunately they watched over it, “defender Martin Gernát told Czech Television. The point would ensure Slovaks advance to the playoffs.

After a disciplinary penalty, Rosandič and Pospíšil returned to the line-up of Slovakia, and Huska made the national team debut in the goal, who started the tournament as the number three. “I think it was a pretty good match, even though I was a little nervous. Especially in the first period. I caught for the first time for the national team, after a month,” said Adam Huska, who scored 26 interventions and was declared a Slovak player of the match. .

His teammates were also more active thanks to the first overpowering game, but Reideborn was attentive in the Swedish goal. The Northerners did not create a significant chance in the first third and collected themselves 53 seconds before leaving the cabins. After a miscued pass, Cehlárik got to the puck and his dotted shot ended up behind the goal line.

“When we got the goal at the end of the first period, it was hard for us. But we knew we could play much better. In the second and third periods we added emotions, started playing more vigorously, more together and as a team. As we would they should play if we want to win, “said Swedish coach Johan Garpenlöv.

At the beginning of the second part, the Swedes visibly added, pushing to attack, but they did not manage to score a goal for a long time. It was not until eight seconds after the end of the power play that Huska was overcome by the prompt Sörensen. Frödén could have increased the lead after 32 minutes, but his shot hit the post after a nice combination in the middle of the park. As later on the other side, Slafkovský and Liška.

Even in the third period, the goalkeepers reigned for a long time, but in the 51st minute Jánošík was eliminated and the Swedes used the power play. Olofsson finished the pressure.

The Slovaks then had several chances to equalize, but finally collected 13 seconds before the end for the third time. They increased the power play by recalling the goalkeeper, but did not score in six against four. On the contrary, after Hallander’s border attack on Lantoši, Lundeström closed the score in an empty goal.

The Slovaks needed to get a point to be sure of the procedure, but they can also advance with 12 points. If the Russians defeat the Swedes on Monday, they can celebrate regardless of the result of the last match against the Czech Republic. “We hope they will help us, but the most important thing is that we still have it in our hands,” Huska said.

“The Russians don’t give anything to anyone for free and I think they will do their job and win,” said Juraj Slafkovský. But he believes that even if his team has to score in the last duel, he can do it. “Although we played with the Czech national team in preparation for the championship and lost twice, now is the right time to win,” added the 17-year-old talent.

The Swedes will only keep winning over Russia. “It will be a difficult match. The Russians have a very good team with a lot of great players. It’s one match, if we show our best hockey, we have a chance,” said Garpenlöv.