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Sweden to the semi finals
Early new years celebration when Sweden scores four goals in the first period against Russia.
The game between Sweden and Russia was about a bye to the semi finals. And it was Sweden that took the semi final spot and they did it in style after a fantastic first period.
It was an entertaining game with chances on both ends and the Russians came out strong in the beginning but the calm goaltending of Jacob Markström stopped the Russians from scoring any goals. Instead Sweden took the lead after five minutes when Andre Petersson capitalized on a breakaway.
Some great Swedish forechecking made it 2-0 halfway through the period and after that it was all about Sweden for the remainder of the first period. Petersson scored his second goal on a power play for 3-0 and just 41 seconds later Mikael Backlund scored another power play goal. 4-0 after 20 minutes could aswell have been 5 or 6-0 as Sweden missed some great chances during the last minutes.
The second period was more evenly matched, Russia had some good chances to reduce Sweden's lead but Markström played very well and Russia was never really close to beat him.
When Sweden added another goal early in the third period the Russians gave up and Sweden easily played off the last period and Markström got his shutout.
But there was not only good news for Sweden as team captain Oscar Möller left the ice halfway through the game with a shoulder injury. Team officials however says they think he will be able to play in the semi final.
The Russian backup keeper Zhelobnyuk who replaced Alistratov after 4-0 was given the best player award in team Russia. The best goaltender on the ice however didn't recieve any price as the double goal scorer Andre Petersson got the hounors in Sweden.
Sweden - Russia 5-0 (4-0,0-0,1-0)
1-0 (5:01) Andre Petersson (Tedenby)
2-0 (10:00) Simon Hjalmarsson (Andersson, Svensson Pääjärvi)
3-0 (16:50) Petersson (Backlund, Karlsson) PP
4-0 (17:31) Mikael Backlud (Möller) PP
5-0 (43:55) Marcus Johansson
Shots: 38-31 (13-12,10-13,15-6)
PIM: 6-16
Story added on 31st December 2008 at 22:12 GMT
Story submitted by: Fredrik Pålsson.
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