Czechia – Sweden 1:4, Problems with the ice and with the opponent. Petersson’s hat trick made the Czech Republic sad

The introduction – as is usual at the beginning of tournaments – brought a number of inaccuracies and even excessive caution. After about ten minutes, the shyness disappeared when Lenc skilfully deflected Chlapík’s shot, but the puck ended up wide. Later, Špaček, who was playing well, shot hard, but he did not surprise the Swedish goalkeeper. Even so, in the Czech game, Jalonen’s “spring” signature was once again visible in the form of a trap in the middle zone and an organized defense of five men. And it is so clear that the coach will try to perfectly instill this system in his charges during the season.

The beginning of the second period was successful for the Czechs thanks to the long signaled exclusion and the subsequent power play. The Swedes locked in both situations, but did not gain anything essential from the pressure. Even worse – as soon as the numerical advantage ended, the excluded Engsund drove straight to the substitution, from where Petersson jumped onto the ice without noticing. At that moment, Sellgren sent him a sharp pass, and the 32-year-old attacker subsequently converted a separate escape with a precise shot.

During the goal celebration, he winked at coach Hallam at the substitutions, who gave him a sign to stay on the ice. And he repaid with a second goal in just 40 seconds. He drove smartly in front of the goal, Lindholm directed the puck to him and it was 2:0 for the guests.

The match then had to be stopped. After the intermission of the ice, there was a hole in the goalpost on the field, and we had to wait for almost an hour to continue. However, the break helped the Czechs to recover from the two-goal blow and they had more dangerous chances during the second half. The guy hit the post, later Červenka had a good chance, but goalkeeper Högberg resisted.

After 34 seconds of the third act, however, he also collected after Chlapík’s shot and the Czechs got within striking distance. But less than a minute later, someone other than Petersson got back to where he should be and returned the two-goal lead to the Swedes with a clever forehand loop.

When the Swedes received a power play in the 49th minute, they only had five seconds to use it, which finally broke the Czech Republic.

On Friday, the team flies to Turku, Finland, where a duel with the home team awaits them on Saturday (at 3:30 p.m.), and Karjala will finish with a duel against Switzerland on Sunday (from 11:30 a.m.).