Saturday, November 13, 2010

SWEDES GET FIRST WJAC WIN, TOP RUSSIANS FOR FIFTH PLACE

Press Release

PENTICTON, B.C. – Jesper Olofsson scored twice to pace the offence and Joakim Nordstrom netted the game-winning goal midway through the third period as Sweden finally earned its first-ever win at the World Junior A Challenge, beating Russia 5-4 in the fifth-place game on Friday night.

The Swedes had been a combined 0-7 in their two appearances – including a sixth-place finish last year in Summerside, P.E.I. – before Friday’s victory.

After Pontus Netterberg opened the scoring for Sweden at 8:12, Olofsson converted on the power play to put the Swedes up 2-0 just past the 15-minute mark of the first period, and made it 3-1 with his second early in the middle frame.

A goal from Christian Nyman made it 4-1 Swedes after 40 minutes, and they looked to be well on their way to win No. 1.

Alexey Vasilevskiy pulled Russia to within two at 8:27 of the third period, but Nordstrom replied by going five-hole on Russian goaltender Oleg Dyatlov just 28 seconds later, restoring the three-goal lead with just over 11 minutes to go.

Just as they did one day earlier, when they fought back from a 4-0 deficit against Canada East to get within a goal, the Russians made a late offensive push. Mikhail Grigorenko made it a 5-3 game with 70 seconds to go, and Nikita Kucherov cut the lead to one with 30 seconds on the clock, but that would be as close as the Russians got.

Despite allowing goals on all three shots he faced in the third period, Tim Harrysson got the win in the Swedish goal, making 24 saves.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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