Sweden's junior hockey team kicked off the 2025 Junior World Championship (JVM) with a victory on December 26, defeating Slovakia by a score of 5-2 at TD Place in Ottawa. The match saw stellar performances, particularly from team captain Axel Sandin Pellikka, who netted three goals and provided one assist, establishing himself as one of the tournament's key players early on.
The game began nervously for Sweden as they struggled to find their rhythm. After both teams exchanged few chances early, Slovakia took the lead with Dalibor Dvorský scoring during 4-on-4 play, putting Sweden down 1-0. Despite their struggle, the Juniorkronorna (Junior Crowns) managed to generate some pressure toward the end of the first period, but were unable to equalize as Slovakian defense thwarted their efforts.
Following the initial setback, Otto Stenberg noted, "It was close, but just move on," reflecting the team's need to regroup. Coach Magnus Hävelid must have inspired his players during the break, as the second period saw Sweden take control of the match.
Within the first four minutes of the second period, Rasmus Bergqvist connected with Sandin Pellikka, scoring the equalizer to bring the score to 1-1. This moment not only lifted the team but also marked the beginning of Sandin Pellikka's stunning performance. The captain continued to showcase his skill, finding the back of the net with two more goals, restoring the lead and then extending it to 3-1.
"We are best friends off the ice, so it was extra fun to see him score too," Sandin Pellikka said about his assist to Bergqvist, highlighting the strong camaraderie within the team.
The third period saw Sweden maintain their momentum. After Slovakia failed to score on their power play, Sandin Pellikka struck again, scoring his hat trick and bringing the tally to 4-1. Linus Eriksson added another goal for good measure, extending the lead to 5-1 before the match concluded with Slovakia managing to score late, finalizing the score at 5-2.
With this victory, Sweden started their tournament on the right foot, and their performance sent strong messages about their potential throughout the tournament. They demonstrated the kind of depth and talent necessary to compete at this level, especially with the capabilities of athletes like Sandin Pellikka, who has become one of the most talked-about players heading forward. Having generated considerable scoring through both individual brilliance and team cooperation, the Juniorkronorna look prepared for the next challenge.
The team's next match against Kazakhstan looms, set for December 27 at 23:00 Swedish time. With the foundation of momentum established, Sweden appears poised to continue their strong performance.
Final Score: Sweden 5, Slovakia 2 (1-0, 0-2, 1-3)
Mål: 1-0 D. Dvorsky, 1-1 R. Bergqvist, 1-2 A. Sandin-Pellikka, 1-3 A. Sandin-Pellikka, 1-4 A. Sandin-Pellikka, 1-5 L. Eriksson, 2-5 D. Jencko.
