The Defending Champions were widely expected to runaway with Group A, but the result s have indicated that Group A is far more competitive than previously expected.
Despite winning the first match 4-1 over the Czech Republic, Sweden barely picked up two points against Switzerland. The Swedes never led in their match against the Swiss and if not for a victory in the shootout, Switzerland would no remain atop Group A. Switzerland' Eliot Antonietti scored at 14:24 of the first, but Sebastian Collberg responded for Sweden with his second goal of the tournament to even the score for Sweden. Less than three minutes later Switzerland's Mike Kunzle took the lead back for the Swiss. They held the lead until Emi Djuse tied the score for Sweden at 6:14 of the third. Victor Rask scored the winning goal on the shootout to earn two points for Sweden. The team now has five points in the Group and has a one point lead over Switzerland and a two point lead over Finland and the Czech Republic.
Their next opponent is Latvia, a squad that has failed to generate buzz in this tournament. The Latvians got off to a poor start with a 5-1 loss to Finland before being demolished 7-2 by Switzerland on Thursday. Latvia scored an early goal from Nikolajs Jelisejevs at 2:45 to take a 1-0 lead. However 12 minutes later, Switzerland tied the match and at 18:27 they took a lead they would never relinquish. Latvia gave up three goals in the second and three in the third though they did obtain a second period goal from Arturs Sevcenko. They have given up 12 goals in two matches and are in last place of Group A. If they lose to Sweden, they will need to defeat the Czech Republic on Sunday and hope they lose to Switzerland in the ensuing match. They will also need Finland to lose its final two matches and obtain no points.
Predictions: Sweden should have no problem with this match. 8-0 Sweden.
Start Time: 7 AM EST
TV: TSN