Swedes hold on to their lead to secure a victory in group B – 06.12.2016

Swedes beat Czech republic in a high scoring affair to top their group. Final score 8-4. (4-1, 3-1, 1-2)

Third game of the day in Arena Riga, began with quality floorball played by both the Swedes and Czech Republic. As per usual, it was a back and forth ball game,but the Swedes were luckier straight off the bat making it 1-0 with 2:16 played. 4:44 and Swedes took a penalty, but the Swedes didn´t put much care into it as they scored and put themselves up 2-0 after a goal scored during the box play. Despite Czech appearing to shoot a little more, the Swedes seemed to be ready to execute their chances. Game had to be stopped for a second there as  the surface had to be cleaned following what appeared to be a bloody finger of the Czech goalie. That seemed to help Czech rRpublic as they reduced Sweden´s lead by two goals. Nearly two minutes left in the 1st period and the Swedes extended their lead again.

Second period went off to a slow start, no goals were scored in first five minutes of the period. Both teams kept creating chances for themselves as the pace was still there. The Swedes struck first as per usual, dumping the Czechs deeper in the hole. Mid-way through the game, the score remained 5-1 with a massive lead for Team Sweden. 52 seconds down the road the Scandinavians scored once again. Czech Republic got one back with under seven minutes remaining in the 2nd period.

 After collecting seven penalty minutes in a row Sweden got a huge period of time to defend themselves from Czech´s offense which got one past Swedish goalie with 3:19 played in the 3rd period and then carried on offloading due to Johansson being penalized to a five minute penalty during the 2nd period, his team lost two goals. The visitor team kept applying pressure hoping to have a nice and sweet come back. Under five minutes left to play, Czech Republic took their timeout with 16:59 played in the 3rd period, hoping that would help them make a come back. That didn´t work as they would have expected, as Sweden got an empty net goal straight away therefore clinching their group lead and leaving Czech right behind them.