Swedes roll in opener

Press Release

For the second year in a row, Germany opened the tournament with a blowout at the hands of Sweden, losing 9-1.

Andre Burakowsky had a pair of goals and several Swedish players found the back of the net, breaking an early 1-1 tie with seven unanswered goals.

“We had a slow start, they were getting on us in the first few minutes, but we were able to wake up and get some pucks in the net,” said Burakowski.

Germany played hard at the outset of the first period, outskating the Swedes and finishing their forechecks to put pressure on Swedish goaltender Jonas Johanson. 

But it was Sweden’s Lukas Wallmark who would score the first goal of the 2013 U18 World Championship, doing it in style with a hard skate along the boards, beating both the German defender and goaltender with a shot stick-side for the 1-0 lead.

Germany struck back less than thirty seconds later, thanks to a goal from Tim Bender. But Sweden pulled away with two goals to wrap up the frame, the first coming off a great deke by forward Anton Karlsson on a two on one rush, putting the puck between the legs of the defenceman to give himself enough room for a pass to Anton Blidh who had a wide open net for the easy goal.

A slap shot from Leon Bristedt gave the Swedes a two-goal cushion heading into the second period. In the next frame Sweden but the game out of reach with goals from Adam Brodecki, Burakowski, and William Nylander.

Germany will have a day to lick its wounds before facing Canada in its second game on Saturday. Sweden will go up against Switzerland in the evening game. 

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)