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– Unfortunately, we made our worst match of the tournament, says Juniorkronorna defender Victor Söderström after losing the match.
– We tried to come back after a difficult start, but we couldn’t.
There are tough game starts, and then there are really tough games.
The latter was what the Junior Crowns experienced in the last group game against the United States at the Edmonton JVM, which was played the night before New Year’s Day.
That Sweden, just over 20 hours earlier, had played a difficult match against Russia, at the same time that the United States had been out, was clearly noticeable. The American youths set the highest speed early on, and before four minutes were played, the United States had led 2-0.
Was Drew Helleson, who opened the shooter when, after just over a minute of play, he gave the US a 1-0 lead. American star and future great player Trevor Zegras increased the lead to 2-0.
Hard start for Swedish goalkeeper Hugo Alnefelt, who rested in the match against Russia.
The two quick goals were the only two goals of the period, but there was no question that the United States were the hottest team.
– We really cannot blame the defeat on the match against Russia. If you go all the way, it will also be difficult between the semi-finals and the final, says Victor Söderström.
Even in her In the second period, the United States scored at full speed from the beginning when Ryan Johnson made it 3-0 in the second minute, very well assisted by Trevor Zegras.
Sweden certainly had a chance to get into the match when Arvid Costmar was knocked down and Sweden received a penalty. However, this was the match when it was not the right one for Sweden. Hill Victor Söderström faked the American goalkeeper, and basically had an open goal, but lost the puck and didn’t get the shot on the road.
– Things happen, but I don’t remember the last time it happened, says the penalty taker.
20 seconds after the missed penalty, the United States increased their lead to 4-0 in the fourth minute of the second period.
– Clearly it was not fun that they got two quick goals, says a disappointed Victor Söderström.
After that goal, Hugo Alnefelt, who did not receive particularly good help from his defenders, had to leave a place in the Swedish goal for Jesper Wallstedt.
The last the period ended scoreless, but it was never discussed. The United States was in control of the match, and Sweden lost 4-0.
On the bright side, it can be noted that incoming goalkeeper Jesper Wallstedt kept a clean sheet. Something that may indicate that he has a chance from the start in the quarterfinals.
– We will sleep on the matter and talk with the goalkeepers and with us the leaders among us, says the captain of the Juniorkronorna national team, Joel Rönnmark, about the choice of the goalkeeper in the quarter-finals.
– We feel safe with the goalkeeper’s side.
As loss Against the United States, Sweden finished third in the group, and placed in the quarterfinals against Finland, who finished second in their group.
The quarterfinals will be played on Saturday night starting at 9:30 pm Swedish time.
Finland also had a hard time in their last group match and lost to Canada 1-4.
The last time Sweden and Finland met in the junior WC was in last year’s bronze match. That time Sweden won.
