Tre Kronor went into today’s meeting with Finland with seven straight wins in the Euro Hockey Tour.
But now that streak is broken as Finland wins the prestigious meeting to take home the tournament victory in Karlstad after great play by Emil Larmi.
On Sunday, Tre Kronor and Finland met in a “final match” to determine the winner of the Beijer Hockey Games as both teams won their first two games. Sweden then came into the game with just eleven forwards after losing Anton Bengtsson, Max Friberg and Jesper Frödén to injuries and illnesses since the start of the tournament.
It then became too tough for Tre Kronor, who lost the decisive match against Finland 2-1, which means that the Finns take home the tournament victory in Karlstad.
Finland came out strong and started the match best, which led to an early power play for the Finns and then they could Eemeli Finland put 0-1 already within the first five minutes.
The match then opened up with hot situations in both directions. At the end of the first period, Tre Kronor got the chance in the power play and Marcus Sylvegård hit the post. The goal meant that Finland was still in the lead after 20 minutes of play.
Great play by Emil Larmi
It was clear that Finland was the most difficult opposition that Sweden encountered in the tournament. The white “Lions” also started well in the second half and created a number of chances that tested Marcus Högberg in the Swedish goal. Finland also played strong in defense, which we are used to seeing under Jukka Jalonen’s leadership, and shut down Tre Kronor in a skillful manner.
However, Sweden got a few chances, especially in the power play, but then Finnish goalkeeper Emil Larmi stood in the way. Larmi stood his ground when Sweden pressed and made sure to keep a clean sheet. Finland was then able to counter and make it 0-2 via Pekka Jormakka who put the puck in on a free kick.
The Scots were 17-11 to Sweden after two periods but despite that the score was 0-2.
Hardegård reduced – but Finland held back
Finland also started solidly in the third, but in the end Emil Larmi had to capitulate when Sweden stepped up in an attack. Malte Strömwall played over to Marcus Hardegård who spot-kicked in 1-2 and Luleåbacken has thus scored in two straight games. Tre Kronor thus made contact and began to raise the game as they began the hunt for an equaliser.
Halfway into the period, Sweden also had a great opportunity to equalize in the form of a power play. They then created a number of hot chances but Larmi made a couple of great saves to ensure it remained 1-2. Tre Kronor lined up chances, but Larmi was clear of the wall in the goal and held tight.
Sweden took a timeout with two and a half minutes left and at the same time picked out goalkeeper Högberg for an extra striker. However, Finland resisted and held on to win the match 2-1 and also become winners of the Beijer Hockey Games. The shots in the third period were a whopping 19-2 to Sweden and the total was 36-13 in shots, but Emil Larmi made sure that Finland could win.
In the Euro Hockey Tour this season, Tre Kronor thus has one tournament win (in Switzerland) and two second places (in Finland and Sweden).
Sweden – Finland 1–2 (0-1,0-1,1-0)
Sweden: Marcus Hardegård.
Finland: Eemeli Suomi, Pekka Jormakka.
