Fancy that!!

A disappointing Sweden closes its WJC campaign making escape also the cold comfort of a bronze medal, coming back home empty-handed.  Also the tradition was on the side of the Swedes: the last clashes between the team were a Tre Kronor triumph – 6-0 last year at Malmo in quarter-finals and even 9-1 at Calgary in 2012. Two scorers from last year match, Lucas Wallmark and Jacob De La Rose are still in the roster. Slovakia closes as the surprise of the tournament, giving a positive impulse to all domestic movement after a few years of lean.

Coaches choose their best goalies as starter, Linus Soderstrom and fan favorite Denis Godla.

First four minutes of the game are a nightmare for Sweden: a mistake of Robin Norell during a transition from defensive zone to give David Soltes the opportunity to open the score at 02:43: Swedish defender misses the pass giving Soltes an easy opportunity in front of Soderstrom. Less than a minute and Martin Reway finds Mislav Rosandic forgotten by Swedish defense, nice wrap-around Soderstrom and classy 2-0 Slovakia.

The beautiful 2-0 Slovakia scored by Mislav Rosandic

At minute 7 Skalicky could kill the game but his shot is deflected by Sodestrom’s pad. Sweden needs about 11 minutes to give vital signs but the first one is lethal: a nice and quick combination around Godla cage finished with decisive touch by Nylander. Soderstrom blocks on Bondra at 12, seconds before a power play for Swden with a fantastic save by Godla on Nylander. In the same action Kabac throws the puck in the stand and with two men more Sweden sieges the Slovak cage:  some great saves by Godla, on Nylander and a very reactive one on Kempe, avoid the draw. But the goal is only delayed and comes at 16:12, very similar to the first: quick combination between the forward to open the defense and final, easy, touch by Jens Looke. After a power play for Slovakia without result, is again Godla to show all his skill denying Nylander the goal twice.

The second period begins with a great chance for Slovakia: Reway is face-to-face with Soderstrom but Swedish goalie wins the duel. Both goalie shines in the first part of the period working a lot to keep the score tight, notably Godla is perfect in blocking a difficult shot by Hagg at 17 and Soderstrom on Skalicky 20 seconds before the siren. At the end of period Patrik Koys remains on the ice for some minutes with the fans holding the breath, but the players gets off the ice on his legs.

Patrik Koys on the ice after the hit by Julius Bergman: moments of fear

The episode resulting in a major penalty to Julius Bergman, giving Slovakia a promising 5 minutes at the beginning of last period on 5vs4. Opportunity fully exploited: at 42:52 Pavol Skalicky beats Soderstrom with an accurate one-timer. Swedish goalie blocks a tentative by Paulovic a minute later. After a central part of the period without emotions, in the final Godla blocks on Oskar Lindblom at 56 and rebounds on Nylander at 57. Swedish coach pulls Soderstrom with two minutes to play, Sweden tries mainly from the distance and suffers the empty net at 59:04 with Patrik Koys served by Reway after a classy movement on the wing. It’s a triumph for Ernest Bokros and his boys: Slovakia started the tournament with a terrible 0-8 by Canada and not many people could imagine to see the same players crashed  mercilessly in the Boxing day with a medal around the neck. Sweden ends its tournament yesterday loosing with Russia, today for most part of the game players gave the clear impression not to be on ice with their mind.

Game is over: Slovakia won the bronze

More photos on eurohockey.com Facebook page and Google+

MVP: Jens Looke – Denis Godla

Three best players of the tournament for Slovakia: Martin Reway – Christian Jaros – Denis Godla

Three best players of the tournament for Sweden:  Robert Hagg – Lucas Wallmark – Jacob De La Rose

Tweets by @eurohockey