Sweden's Juniorkronorna opened their Junior World Championship (JVM) campaign with emphatic flair, scoring five goals to secure a 5-2 victory over Slovakia at TD Place Arena, Ottawa. Led by captain Axel Sandin Pellikka, who dazzled fans with three goals and one assist, the Swedish team rebounded from an early deficit to firmly seize control of the match.
Despite the promising start, the game was not without its challenges for the Juniorkronorna. Slovakia found the back of the net first, with Dalibor Dvorský capitalizing on the fleeting opportunity, pushing the puck past the Swedish goaltender Melker Thelin with just ten seconds remaining of 4-on-4 play. This moment came as Swedish players struggled to find their rhythm, reflecting pre-game nerves.
Commentators, including Håkan Loob from SVT, noted the initial sluggishness, stating, “It’s a beautiful finish. But I’m somewhat confused by how passive Sweden appeared. They were waiting instead of being aggressive.” Despite feeling the pressure, Sweden had hopes for equalization when they seemingly scored toward the end of the first period, only for the officials to determine the puck hadn’t crossed the goal line.
It wasn’t until the second period, just four minutes in, when Rasmus Bergqvist leveled the score with his quick-handed shot following Sandin Pellikka's setup. This goal was significant as it allowed the Juniorkronorna to relax and reconnect with their game plan. Shortly after, Sandin Pellikka showcased his talent when he picked up the puck during a power play and sent it past the Slovak goalie, notching his first of the night and giving Sweden the momentum they desperately needed.
The second period ended with Sweden leading 2-1, and the team looked determined as they skated onto the ice for the final stretch. Axel Sandin Pellikka, demonstrating why he’s considered one of the biggest stars of the tournament, continued his scoring spree just four minutes later, pushing Sweden’s lead to 3-1.
But Sandin Pellikka wasn’t finished yet. Completing his hat trick, he added one more goal to his tally, making it 4-1 before Linus Eriksson sealed the game with Sweden’s fifth goal, pushing the team comfortably out front and demonstrating their offensive prowess.
Slovakia managed to pull one back through Daniel Jencko, scoring late and reducing the deficit to 5-2, but it was too little too late. The match concluded with the Juniorkronorna firmly asserting their position as contenders, sending “a little message to the other teams,” as Sandin Pellikka remarked during his post-match comments.
This impressive win places Sweden squarely on the path to pursue their goal of claiming the championship title. The next test arrives swiftly, as they prepare to face Kazakhstan. Sweden's match against Kazakhstan will serve as another opportunity for them to build on their strong start and establish dominance on the international stage.
Sandin Pellikka's performance confirms his status as one to watch throughout the tournament. “We’re best friends off the ice, so seeing him [Bergqvist] score was particularly special for me,” he said, reinforcing the camaraderie and spirit within the team.
The Juniorkronorna will aim to continue their winning streak when they face Kazakhstan, which promises to be another thrilling encounter for hockey fans globally. Game time is set for tomorrow at 23:00 CET, and both players and fans are filled with anticipation.
Overall, this season’s JVM is proving to be exhilarating, and if Sweden's first game is any indication, fans can expect thrilling matches to follow.
