Sweden has looked like a juggernaut through two games and while they have only managed four goals offensively, they have only conceded one and that came to Alex Ovechkin on the man advantage, with Henrik Lundqvist sidelined. But Sweden got the point it needed to advance to the semifinals, while North America needs Finland to beat Russian Federation on Thursday. McLellan said it was a maintenance day and expects him to play against Sweden, but if he cant then North America would have to dress 13 forwards and five defensemen.
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Without Ekblad, the 2014 No. 1 draft pick whos already an National Hockey League franchise defenseman, North America will need to lean heavier on Morgan Rielly, Colton Parayko, Shayne Gostisbehere in a crucial game.
“Obviously we knew what we had to do and the point sealed the first spot in the group”, he said. “They gave us a slap in the face right away”. Filip Forsberg, Nicklas Backstrom and Patrik Berglund scored for Sweden. Winning in regulation would have gotten it through to the semis and left Sweden sweating out Russia’s game against Finland.
Florida Panthers general manager Tom Rowe told beat reporters that Ekblad was concussed and shouldnt play another game in the tournament.
The win gives North America a 2-1 record. Each game featured more than a handful of did-you-see-that moves, and North America left a lasting impact on the sport. “I think we’ve definitely turned some heads and opened the eyes of everyone what the future of the National Hockey League is like”.
MacKinnon scored off a pretty deke with just 49 seconds remaining in the extra period as Team North America beat Sweden 4-3 on Wednesday in the final preliminary-round game for both teams.
Ekblad wasnt able to play in North Americas loss to Russian Federation and isnt expected to be available for its final round-robin game against unbeaten Sweden on Wednesday.
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Team North America, a talent-laden squad dismissed by many as gimmicky when the tournament format was announced, got off to a dream start when American Auston Matthews cashed in a rebound 30 seconds into the game. The teams traded goals the rest of the period as Sweden overcame its brutal start to claw back in the game.
