Halifax. Heavy Attack Asma was forced to step down.
Then it was like Tegan Jr. let go and ran.
But if anything speaks to Sweden’s really progress in this tournament, it’s Karl Lindbom’s goalkeeper.
Nothing bad about Germany winning the junior title on Tuesday, but it was the first real test against a potential medal contender.
How will Magnus Havelid’s team fare against the Czech Republic?
That was the big, interesting question ahead of tonight’s match, which drew just over 10,000 Canadians to the ring.
Yes, honors is the short answer.
After two periods the little crowns turned from 0-1 to 2-1,
But with six minutes remaining, the Czech Republic managed to hold the Swedish defense and after that not even the great Karl Lindbom could save his side. More about Lindbom below.
The receipt was not inconsequential at all. Seconds before, the puck had danced on the Swedish goal line.
It now went to extra time, where defender Ludwig Jansson responded to an unexpected individual feat and decided.
The Czech Republic was better at most things
But the initial response to how Tijan Junior performed against the Czech Republic was not at all impressive.
The Czech Republic were better at most things in the first period, not the least of which was “hitting their player”, which also opened up some blistering situations. Because then another player on the opponent’s side has to change position and then open up opportunities.
The Czech Republic found several positions in the coveted area of the inner castle, precisely because it was a better and stronger player against player.
Sweden had few players who could eliminate an opponent to open up a defence.
So it also became stable. Or rather: nothing offensive happened.
It’s not made better by the fact that the strongest offensive weapon up front, Leo Carlsson, never got into action after missing yesterday’s practice.
The first and only stand of the first period came after ten minutes when Noah Östlund tested Soshank from close range.
The Swedes had problems with most things, not the least of which was playing from their own region.
Both Liesel and Carlson had to step down
The saving grace is that the junior trophy looks like it has the best goalkeeper in the tournament. In recent years, names like Ersson, Alnefelt, and Wallstedt have spoiled us between publications.
Carl Lindbom is definitely on the same level. Young Stockholmer really stepped forward as a candidate to be the best goalkeeper in the entire tournament. He spreads such incredible coolness around him and the outfield players know that the park ranger almost always takes the first shot, no matter how good the opponent’s position is. He also often saves second and third chances as well.
Incredibly cool airbag for a team.
The beauty of the Raven’s song is that with Lindbom’s goalkeeping, Tegan Jr. has a chance in most matches, as long as she manages to score two goals.
Lindbom is definitely the joker that little crowns go really far in heroism.
Another offensive threat, Fabian Liesel, was not out to play midway through the period. Magnus Havild suddenly had only eleven strikers left and had to go down three positions.
With the two previously biggest offensive threats out of the game and a lackluster first period, the odds weren’t on the Little Crowns’ side. But then it was as if the Swedes left the road and drove on. And two Doldis stepped forward as scorers.
In fact, the Czech Republic managed to break Lindbohm’s clean sheet in the tournament, but then Fabian Wagner took advantage of a huge Czech mistake and then scored the hero of the match, Ludwig Jansson, 2-1.
Wasp nest settled on New Year’s Eve
Sweden’s meeting with Canada, half an hour after midnight Swedish time, concludes the entire group stage. Two hours earlier, Finland and the United States of America had met. The hours around twelve become chills worthy of the name.
Group B has developed into a veritable hornet’s nest as teams like Finland and the USA can finish anywhere from first to third, or even fourth.
Therefore, it is more or less useless to speculate anything about a potential quarter-final opposition.
Not least when Sweden’s group is almost wide open after the Czech Republic’s opening win over Canada.
What we do know is that Sweden could finish second but still have to play the quarter-finals in Moncton, 20 miles from Halifax. Canada is guaranteed to stay in Halifax no matter where they finish in the group.