Updated February 8, 2024
Tre Kronor won against the Czech Republic in the premiere of the Beijer Hockey Games in Karlstad. Sweden won 4-1 where three of the goals came from players with Färjestad connections in front of the crowd in Löfbergs Arena.
On Thursday evening, the Beijer Hockey Games began in Karlstad and Löfbergs Arena when Tre Kronor faced the Czech Republic. Before the meeting, both teams were the two top teams in the Euro Hockey Tour after two tournaments, which set the stage for a fierce clash in advance.
After an even first period, Sweden was dominant in the second period with many long attacks in the middle period where they forced Jakub Malek in the Czech goal into a big play to keep the Czech Republic in the match. The Czechs then got two outnumbered late in the period but Sweden played some solid outnumbered hockey to complete a well executed middle period that ended scoreless.
After five minutes in the third period, Sweden extended its lead through former Färjestad center and Arvika boy Jacob de la Rose. The center scored 3-1 when Tre Kronor covered the just mentioned Malek in a good way. Tre Kronor continued to impress and so did players with a Färjestad connection. The tall Färjestad forward Victor Ejdsell made it 4-1 in the net with eight minutes left and it looked very good for Sweden at that point.
It was then a pleasant finish for Tre Kronor where the Czech Republic had no rush at the end for any reduction but Sweden played the match successfully to nail the final numbers to victory with 4-1. Sweden has thus won a nice first victory and extends its lead at the top of the table of the Euro Hockey Tour, where at the time of writing it has 18 points ahead of the Czech Republic on 14, Finland on eight and Switzerland on two.
The next match for Sweden is on Saturday against Switzerland (16:00) and then the tournament ends against Finland on Sunday (16:00). The matches are broadcast by Sveriges Television. On Thursday, Finland defeated a hard-working Switzerland 4-2.
Sweden – Czech Republic, 4-1 (2-1, 0-0, 2-0)
07:22 0-1 Martin Ruzicka (Jakub Rychlovsky)
17:46 1-1 Linus Johansson (without assist)
18:56 2-1 Marcus Sylvegård (Lucas Wallmark, Marcus Sörensen)
45:27 3-1 Jacob de la Rose (Jesper Frödén, Patrik Nemeth)
52:22 4-1 Victor Ejdsell (Malte Strömwall)
That’s how Sweden started
Goalkeepers:
Marcus Högberg
(Filip Larsson)
First five:
Patrik Nemeth, Lukas Bengtsson
Victor Ejdsell, Oscar Lindberg, Malte Strömwall
Andrafemman:
Henrik Tömmernes, Tim Heed
Marcus Sörensen, Lucas Wallmark, Marcus Sylvegård
Third Fifth:
Gabriel Carlsson, Joel Persson
Dennis Rasmussen, Jacob de la Rose, Jesper Frödén
The Fourth Chain:
Joakim Nygård, Linus Johansson, Max Friberg
Seventh back:
Christian Folin
Extra forward:
Filip Hållander
19:00
Czech Republic – Sweden
