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Sweden clinches bronze medal
- Davide Tuniz from Bern
IHWC campaign is less bitter for Sweden after 4-2 victory on USA
Sweden and USA open the final day of world championship battling for bronze. As expected teams are on ice with a different attitude: USA aware to have played a very positive championship that can be completed with a medal: an icing on American cake; Sweden disappointed for another chance wasted. More positive, Americans have a good start, with many chances and an extra work for Stefan Liv, today in Swede cage. Bit-little also "tre kronor" get started and first period remains pleasant but scoreless.
Second period is another music: Sweden seems more determinated and takes the lead of the game even if USA opens the score at 25:14: on power play Jack Johnson received from John-Michael Liles and scores. Sweden continues its predominancy and manages to tie at 33:24: goal is from Loui Eriksson but thanks to a great preparation by Tony Martensson. Same duo give Sweden advantage two minutes later: Eriksson shots, Esche rebounds but Martensson is ready to tap in.
In the end of second period Sweden dominates and Americans received a lot of penalties taking the wind out of their sails. Despite this, last superiority is for US, with two good chances in sequence for Ron Hainsey and Jason Blake but Liv closes the door.Swedish goal have to give up after two minutes of last period: a superb coast-to-coast by Joe Pavelski leaves no chance to former Red Wings'guardian. Sweden is ahead again at 49:00: with David Backes penalized, a terrific shot from Carl Gunnarsson seals 3-2 Sweden. Penalties again affected US hopes to recover and Johnny Oduya with 2 seconds to play skates towards empty net and closes game. A bronze medal for scandinavian: at least better then nothing...
Sweden - USA 4-2 (0-0,2-1,2-1)
0-1 25:14 Jack Johnson (John Michael Liles)PP
1-1 33:24 Loui Eriksson (Tony Martensson,Mattias Weinhandl)PP
2-1 35:57 Tony Martensson (Loui Eriksson,Mattias Weinhandl)PP2
2-2 42:15 Joe Pavelski
3-2 49:00 Carl Gunnarsson (Mattias Weinhandl)PP
4-2 59:58 Johnny Oduya (Kenny Jonsson)EN
PIM: 8x2 - 11x2 SOG: 28-39 Att: 11.249
MVP: Stefan Liv - Ryan Suter
Story added on 10th May 2009 at 16:24 GMT
Story submitted by: Davide Tuniz.
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