Canada – Sweden 1:2 (0:0; 0:1; 1:0; 0:0; 0:1) // 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Cologne / Paris
Team Canada came back from a 0-2 deficit after 40 minutes in the semifinals to defeat Russia 4-2, while Sweden sent Scandinavian rivals Finland into the bronze medal game with a 4-1 win.
Apart from Chris Lee (KHL, Magnitogorsk) and Eric Comrie (G, Manitoba Moose, AHL), Team Canada only had NHL players who had already been eliminated in the first round of the NHL playoffs. The Swedes were able to field 19 players who earned their money in the NHL. It was a lively game with chances on both sides. At one point Henrik Lundquist in the Swedish goal had to make a desperate save against Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds (both Philadelphia Flyers), and at another the metal saved against a shot by Mark Scheifele (Winnipeg Jets). But Calvin Pickard (Colorado Avalanche) could not complain about a lack of work either. The Swedes missed two power play opportunities and so the game ended in a goalless draw after 20 minutes, 0:0.
Everyone waited with excitement for the first goal. After 50 seconds of the second period, Canada had its first power play. But everything that got through was easily captured by goalkeeper Lundquist. Then, with the team shorthanded, 21 seconds before the second half, the much-celebrated 1-0 was scored by the "lightning" Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning). From the blue line, the Swede flicked the puck in front of the goal, where a teammate blocked Pickard's view and the puck was already in the net.
Then a penalty for Sweden, Lundquist blocked the first shot, then Ryan O'Reilly poked the puck over the line after 10 seconds of the power play in the 42nd minute. Five minutes before the end of regulation, the Swedes came dangerously close to the goal through Jonas Brodin. In return, the ball almost hit the other side. With 3:40 left, a penalty against Canada. Then two minutes against Sweden, but the score remained 1:1 and so it went into overtime.
The overtime started with a power play by the Canadians - 37 seconds. Over! No one wanted to make a mistake... In the 70th minute of the game, Canada was given a penalty: tripping! It was a tough fight - no one gave anything away! The game remained tied and so the penalty shootout had to decide! This final had everything you could want!
The penalty shootout went 2-0 to Sweden - Nicklas Bäckström and Oliver Ekman-Larsson were the only goal scorers. Bäckström scored the decisive world champion goal - making SWEDEN the new world champion!
John Klingberg: “I am incredibly proud to have won this gold medal for my home country! It's an incredible feeling! Simply GREAT! I am at a loss for words!"
Tore: 0:1 (39:39) Hedman {SH}; 1:1 (41:58) O'Reilly {PP}; 1:2 Bäckström (PS)
Punish: 10 (CAN) : 8 (SWE)
Text: Ivo Jacshick