A hat-trick by Frölunda forward Otto Stenberg, the second straight win and another clean sheet.
No wonder that a sold-out Scandinavium cheered Sweden’s 5-0 victory over Germany in the Junior World Cup.
Stenberg started the scoring in the first period and then scored both 3–0 and 4–0 within the space of just under three minutes in the third period.
It made the home fans in Scandinavium in Gothenburg (11,512 spectators) chant the name of the 18-year-old Stenungsund product.
Sweden had never lost against Germany in the Junior World Cup and before Thursday night’s meeting had 23 straight victories.
But that does not mean that Germany is no longer a piece of cake – Finland learned that bitterly on Wednesday when the Germans won 4-3.
In last season’s JVM in Halifax, Sweden narrowly won 1–0.
Celebrated goal
Sweden created the most and the best in the opening period, but the Germans were not harmless and Björklöven’s JVM debutant Melker Thelin had to show himself on the tightrope a few times between the posts. He replaced Hugo Hävelid who kept a clean sheet in the opening victory against Latvia, 6–0.
After all, Sweden plays matches two days in a row and meets Canada already on Friday evening.
Both Noah Östlund, post hit, and Frölunda forward Otto Stenberg, free position, created great chances.
But after 15.48 a sold-out Scandinavium got to celebrate.
And it ate a home-made Frölunda meal.
David Edstrom passed to Stenberg as a hard shot 1-0 in the cross behind the German goalkeeper Matthias Bittner.
Stenberg was asked in Viaplay if it was the perfect shot.
Yes, it was probably bull’s-eye, answered the sharpshooter.
Cannon to 2–0
In the second period, the Germans leveled the game, but with only 1.24 remaining, Linköpings back Mattias Hävelid thundered in 2–0.
In the third period, the Swedes attacked in numerical superiority – the form of play where there were three goals in five attempts in the premiere.
On the evening’s second chance in the power play, Otto Stenberg scored his second goal of the evening.
Just 2.46 later he had completed his hat-trick.
A tired Germany collapsed and Noah Östlund was able to make it 5-0.
Sweden has had the perfect start to the Junior WC, but at the same time two expected victories against weaker opposition have been picked up.
On Friday, the first big test awaits as the last two years’ champion team Canada awaits with 17-year-old super talent Macklin Celebrini at the helm.
Just like Sweden, Canada has two straight wins and a monstrous 15-2 in goal difference.
Sweden has not yet conceded a goal and has 11-0 in goal difference.
A win against Canada means that the chance for group victory – and an easier quarter-final opponent on paper – remains.
GÖRAN SUNDBERG/TT
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