When: Monday 26 December, 19.30, Swedish time.
Where: Scotiabank Centre, Halifax.
TV/radio: SVT2/Play, P4 Radiosporten
+ Austria without the star
Marco Kasper has an important role in the SHL team Rögle. The center, who was drafted in the NHL as the eighth player by Detroit this summer, had been the big star of the team. But he is not participating and is instead staying and playing with Rögle in Sweden.
This allows others to step forward. One of them is running back David Reinbacher. He is in his second season in the admittedly strong Swiss league and has scored 14 points (two goals and twelve assists) in 28 games for his team Kloten.
+ Weak charging
Admittedly, it is when the tournament begins that the game must be right. But a good upload is usually a nice feeling to have in the back – and in terms of results, nothing has progressed for the Junior crowns.
Against the USA, one of the favorites for gold, Sweden clearly lost 1-5 after the USA scored three unanswered goals in the second period.
In the general competition against Switzerland the day before Christmas Eve, the opposition was a little easier in advance. But still there was a loss, 3–4 after extra time.
+ The star’s birthday
Turning 18 is a big deal. For Leo Carlsson, one of Sweden’s leading players, there may be a double celebration as he enters the adult world on Boxing Day. A premiership victory is certainly on the wish list and certainly he may well get a victory cheer. Sweden are favorites against Austria who, together with Germany, are the weakest group opponents on paper.