Sweden scored two goals early in the third period to erase a 2-1 Switzerland lead en route to a 4-2 win this afternoon at Grand Casino Arena. 

The win allows Sweden to keep pace with the United States for top spot in Group A. The loss keeps the Swiss winless after two games, in last place with 0-2 Germany.

Sweden plays again tomorrow afternoon against Germany while the Swiss get an off day before facing those same Germans on Tuesday.

The Swedes entered the game with a 24-0-4 all-time record against Switzerland, who last won, 2-0, on January 2, 2019.
 

Key to the win was Sweden's ability to penetrate the efficient and challenging Swiss defence, which was in full view last night in the team's narrow 2-1 loss to the United States.

"Some of us watched the game last night," said Swedish forward Milton Gastrin. "They play easy hockey, with a lot of guys around their net in their own end. We had to create holes to create scoring chances, so it was nice to score a few goals. But they played well. We need to play a more simple game. I think sometimes we messed up at the blue line, and they went the other way and had some really good scoring chances from those turnovers. When we started to get the puck deep and we got the power play to work, then we could find a way to get back in the game. It was great to get the three points."

"It was tough to play so soon after last night, but we came into the game with good confidence," said Swiss Beni Waidacher. "We had a really good game against the U.S., and we knew we had the confidence to beat Sweden today.  Too bad it didn't work out. We were happy with how we played in the first two periods, but we took too many penalties, so that helped them gain some momentum. That made it harder for us. We know we can beat these teams, but they have a great defence and goaltender."

Sometimes the details make all the difference, and the start of this game was a case in point. On his first shift, captain Leon Muggli rattled a low shot off the post past Love Harenstam, but the puck stayed out. Moments later, it was the Swedes who opened the scoring. 

Carrying the puck over the Swiss blue line, defender Leo Sahlin Wallenius criss-crossed with Eric Nilson and then wafted a pass to him in front. Nilson made a quick move and slid the puck in at 53 seconds for the 1-0 Sweden lead.

The Swiss recovered from this lapse and played their opponents evenly the rest of the period. They were rewarded at 14:27 when Waidacher’s low shot went all the way through a tangle of bodies and skates, making it a 1-1 game.

The Swiss gave a masterclass in two-way play in the second period, stifling almost every Swedish attack and allowing Elijah Neuenschwander to see the puck. They had limited the U.S. attack to two goals last night, and the Swedes were now witnessing firsthand how it was done.

Indeed, the only goal of the period was a late strike from the Swiss. Lars Steiner’s screened shot went in and out of the net so quickly referees initially called no goal on the play. But at the next whistle they reviewed the shot, and within seconds realized the puck went in at 18:22

Sweden started the third on a power play and didn't waste any time tying the score. Viggo Bjorck's snap shot from the high slot at 57 seconds wasn't a power-play goal exactly, but Jonah Neuenschwander's penalty expired only one second previous, and he wasn't back in the play by the time Bjorck took his shot.

Moments later, Alfons Freij rattled a shot off the post, and at 6:28 the Swedes re-took the lead after the Swiss were lax in trying to clear the zone. Lucas Pettersson got to the puck and beat Elijah Neuenschwander before the goalie knew what had happened. 

Lucas Pettersson added an empty netter with 46.4 seconds remaining to close out the scoring.