A better start should show the way to Finland

It’s either a win or a loss for Sweden when the Junior Crowns take on Finland at 9.30pm Swedish time tonight at the junior WC ice hockey at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Canada.

After a promising start to the group stage with victories against the Czech Republic (7-1) and Austria (4-0), the U-20 team lined up two defeats against Russia (3-4 after extra time) and the United States (0- 4) and finished third in the group. SECOND.

Now antagonist Finland, who finished second in Group A, is waiting in the quarter-finals.

Segervissa

– You have probably known them since your first international matches in U16. So you’ve probably had a good look at them. A one-year-old group that we have a good knowledge of and that I think we should step up and beat, says Brynäs forward Noel Gunler, born 2001, at a digital press conference on New Year’s Day.

In both the defeat against Russia and the elimination against the United States, Sweden conceded early goals in the first period.

Federation captain Joel Rönnmark promises better sharpness tonight, especially considering the USA match when Sweden conceded two goals in the first four minutes of the match.

Revenge sucks

– We had a difficult start, there is nothing to worry about, says Rönnmark and adds:

– Tomorrow (tonight) we will be ready from the beginning.

Sweden had a team meeting overnight around Swedish time on Saturday where the team’s lineup against Finland was presented.

– We are hungry for revenge, says Rönnmark.

The day before the quarters, the captain of the national team did not want to reveal which of the Swedish goalkeepers Hugo Alnefelt, HV71, and Jesper Wallstedt, Luleå, will score the goal.

Alnefelt had to endure harsh criticism after the US game when he was responsible for a couple of dubious interventions.

– During the night here, Edmonton time, we take out a team that plays the Finns, says Joel Rönnmark.

David Hjorter / TT