Sweden only scores twice against Slovenia

Sweden dominated the game against Slovenia completely for at least 50 minutes but thanks Sweden's unability to score and great goaltending by young Luka Gracnar the final score was only 2-0. Luckily for Sweden when they didn't score their goalie Jhonas Enroth also made a very solid game and had 21 saves for shutout.

One of many big saves for Gracnar. Photo: Michal Eger

Sweden took control of the game from the start and dominated it heavily with 19-4 in shots in the first. The only thing Slovenia had was a long on 5 on 3 but they didn't create much out of it against a good Swedish PK. But the Swedes lack goal scoring skills on the team and Luka Gracnar was really in the zone in his first ever WC appearance. Swedes obviously got nervous when the goals didn't come and after some plays at the end of the first some of the fans were booing at the home team.

But Sweden finally opened the scoring 5:50 into the second period when Gabriel Landeskog was given a lot of space on the left wing after a bad Slovenian line exchange and the Colorado captain finished it off with a low shot under Gracnar.

1-0 by Landeskog. Photo: Michal Eger

Sweden's unability to score almost punished them when Slovenia got a great chance to tie it when Mitja Robar skated clear playing shorthanded but Jhonas Enroth was still awake in the Swedish net and saved it.

One Sweden's big problem is the power play but 2:51 they finally got the insurance goal to give them some breathing room on a power play. Fredrik Pettersson ripping it home high, well needed for Sweden with some success at the power play even if it was not a typical power play goal.

"I won't say we made a bad game", Pettersson said. "Problem is that we don't score on our chances. It's tough, when we're just trying, trying, trying. I had a lot of chances myself the Swedish forward who finally scored said.

That goal was the last goal of the game and the game ended with 2-0 for Sweden even if Slovenia played better for the last ten minutes of the game. Slovenia's last chance of avoiding relegation will be to beat Canada, and if they want to achieve they will need a much better than today.

For the next game against Denmark Sweden will be reinforced by Alexander Edler together with Daniel and Henrik Sedin maybe they and the solid goaltending from Enroth can lead Sweden to success in this tournament because what Sweden have showed so far won't.

Tweets by @eurohockey