No Lundqvist, no problem as Sweden top Russian Federation

Anton Stralman and Loui Eriksson scored as the Swedes (2-0-0) got a firm grip on the top spot in Group B. Finland (0-2-0) is facing long odds for advancing to the semifinals. The Finns’ only chance to reach the semifinals now is if there’s a three-way tie in their group – at 1-2-0 – with Russian Federation and the North America youngsters.

TORONTO – Jack Eichel, Johnny Gaudreau, Jonathan Drouin and Nathan MacKinnon scored, Matt Murray made 24 saves and Team North America skated circles around Finland on the way to a victory.

On Tuesday, both Sweden and Finland played a calculated, defense-first game at Air Canada Centre, each waiting for the other team to make mistakes. “Everyone played so hard, but we played a good game overall”.

Playing with desperation, the USA got on the scoreboard first with Ryan McDonagh banging home a loose puck for a 1-0 lead but Canada hit back nearly immediately with a pair of goals just 14 seconds apart from Matt Duchene and Corey Perry.

“You got to be ready every time you come to the rink”, the backup goalie said after the game, per Frank Pingue of Reuters.

A Stanley Cup champion and Vezina Trophy victor, Rask, is one of many top goaltenders the Finnish Hockey program, Leijonat, has produced in the last decade. Personally, I just hope I’ll be able to play, but in the end it’s up to the coaches here to decide who’s going to be out there.

After missing Sweden’s tournament opener with a surprise illness, goalie Henrik Lundqvist was back in action and looking as sharp as ever.

Finland’s Patrik Laine had an excellent chance to tie the game 1-1 in the final minute of the second, but Lundqvist was able to get his glove on Laine’s one-timer with 40 seconds remaining in the frame. The teams never played at the 2010 or 2014 Olympics, or even the 1996 and 2004 World Cup.

The Rangers’ netminder made a huge stop just 4:05 into the match, getting his stick on a Teuvo Teravainen point-blank rebound and then made a big stop on Patrick Laine cutting toward the net with 5:30 to go in the scoreless first period.

The Swedes have a date with Finland on Tuesday afternoon. Jokinen took a roughing minor late in the first period. If it was a one-goal game, Sweden would be eliminated as soon as Russian Federation wins by at least two goals. Team North America outshot Team Finland 18-6 in the second period. I don’t think we’ve played our best hockey yet, but I think the team itself is working like an engine. Again, the puck is nowhere near these two and Hedman ended up hobbled on the play, though he did return to the game.