Forsberg shines in Sweden’s clear win over Austria

Austria, coming from an upset win over Switzerland, had a good start into this game as well, even outshooting their opponent 7-4 in the first 10 minutes of play. Sweden had its first real scoring chance in the 14^th minute on Loui Eriksson’s breakaway. Austrian goalkeeper Rene Swette would save that shot, but Filip Forsberg kept the puck in the offensive zone with a beautiful display of his extraordinary hockey skills and finished the play with a perfect top shelf shot.

Sweden wanted to decide the game early and needed only little less than a minute to accomplish that. In the 19^th minute Oskar Klefbom, on an perfect assist by Matthias Sjögren, did not waste the chance let alone in the slot area. 41 seconds later it was again an Edmonton Oiler’ player to score, as Anton Lander showed great patience in front of Swette to make it 3-0.

Eriksson and Lander celebrating. Photo: Stanislav Souček

Austria had its first real scoring opportunity in the 28^th minute, but Thomas Raffl missed the net on Dominique Heinrich’s pass. Sweden on the breakaway showed what scoring efficiency means, as Filip Forsberg’s backhander beat Swette on the five-hole. Within two minutes Eric Lindholm, using a turnover created on a missed pass by Brian Lebler, and Filip Forsberg, assisted by Oliver Ekman-Larsson, added two more to make it 6-0, also completing Forsberg’s hattrick. Austrian coach Daniel Ratushny decided to call a timeout and put in Bernhard Starkbaum in relief of Rene Swette.

Austria had some chances to score their consolation goal in the second period, but neither Manuel Geier nor Mario Fischer could beat KHL-netminder Anders Nilsson. They though managed to spoil Nilsson’s shutout in the third period thanks to a goal by Dominique Heinrich in the 54^th minute of play.

In addition, they were able to win the second half of the game, as Starkbaum, who plays in the Swedish Hockey League, did not let one shot get past him. His team will also rely on the 28 year old goalkeeper when they take on France in a key game on Tuesday.

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