GDT: Semifinal • Jan. 4 • Sweden vs. Russia

[Systemfel]

2015 IIHF World Junior Championship
Semifinal

January 4
4:00 PM ET • 22:00 CET

Sweden
Projected lineup.

Left Wing​

|

Center​

|

Right Wing​

22 Oskar Lindblom​

|

25 Axel Holmström​

|

21 William Nylander​

| -

29 Adrian Kempe​

|

23 Lucas Wallmark

|

20 Adam Brodecki​

| -

27 Anton Karlsson​

|

9 Jacob de la Rose

|

11 Anton Blidh​

| -

28 Leon Bristedt​

|

26 Christoffer Ehn​

|

24 Jens Lööke​

| -

12 Victor Olofsson​

|

-​

|

-​

| -

Left Defense​

|

Right Defense​

14 Robert Hägg

|

7 Julius Bergman​

| -

2 Sebastian Aho​

|

3 William Lagesson​

| -

8 Gustav Forsling​

|

5 Robin Norell​

| -

6 Andreas Englund​

|

-​

| -

Starter​

|

Backup​

30 Linus Söderström​

|

1 Samuel Ward​

| -

Scratched​

|

Details​

G 35 Fredrik Bergvik​

|

Healthy​

| -

Russia
Projected lineup.

Left Wing​

|

Center​

|

Right Wing​

27 Vyacheslav Leshchenko​

|

22 Ivan Barbashyov​

|

19 Pavel Buchnevich

| -

26 Vladimir Bryukvin​

|

23 Alexander Sharov​

|

18 Maxim Mamin​

| -

11 Nikolai Goldobin​

|

9 Vladislav Kamenev​

|

28 Sergei Tolchinskiy​

| -

15 Anatoliy Golyshev​

|

17 Ivan Fishchenko​

|

25 Alexander Dergachyov​

| -

Left Defense​

|

Right Defense​

7 Rushan Rafikov

|

12 Alexander Bryntsev​

| -

6 Vladislav Gavrikov

|

5 Nikita Cherepanov​

| -

29 Ivan Provorov​

|

24 Rinat Valiyev​

| -

4 Ziyat Paygin​

|

3 Dmitriy Yudin​

| -

Starter​

|

Backup​

30 Igor Shestyorkin​

|

1 Ilya Sorokin​

| -

Scratched​

|

Details​

G 20 Denis Kostin​

|

Healthy​

| -

Officials​

|

Referee​

|

Steve Patafie | -

Referee​

|

Tobias Wehrli | -

Linesman​

|

Bevan Mills | -

Linesman​

|

Judson Ritter | -

Click to read more...

 

[Chukcha]

Go Russia!

 

[Chukcha]

though i like Sweden too, but wanna watch a classic Can-Rus rivalry.

 

[Svanstrom]

Any Flyers fans around? Thoughts on Lindblom leading the scores? Seems like a decent 5th round pick for now!

 

[Snowsii]

hopefully Sweden got their def in order, otherwise russians are going to eat them alive.. (They will hit between the pipes )

 

[ante3118]

Really surprised by our team so far, on paper the weakest we've had for years but Grönborg has managed to build a great TEAM out of it. Next years tourney will be amazing with something like 15 players returning including all the key ones: Nylander, Aho, Kylington, Lindblom, Holmström, Söderström, Forsling... etc.

 

[Snowsii]

Really surprised by our team so far, on paper the weakest we've had for years but Grönborg has managed to build a great TEAM out of it. Next years tourney will be amazing with something like 15 players returning including all the key ones: Nylander, Aho, Kylington, Lindblom, Holmström, Söderström, Forsling... etc.

Sure, that Nylander will be availeble?

 

[cheeeko]

It'll be interesting to see if Nylander is available for next years WJC. I wanna see him playing for the Leafs but it might be a bad idea based our team

Anyway, I'm hoping for a Swedish victory so I can see how Nylander fairs against the Canadians!

Go Sweden!

 

[Den]

The loosing streak ends today

 

[m4tt145]

Sweden's PP - 50%

Sweden's PK - 100%

Lots of penalties and we win.

 

[Stats01]

Really surprised by our team so far, on paper the weakest we've had for years but Grönborg has managed to build a great TEAM out of it. Next years tourney will be amazing with something like 15 players returning including all the key ones: Nylander, Aho, Kylington, Lindblom, Holmström, Söderström, Forsling... etc.

Hold up on Nylander. He could make the Leafs team next year..although I wouldn't mind him spending a year with the Marlies and having another dominant WJHC again. It's all about development not how fast you can make the NHL. Leafs will have a big decision with what to do with him. One thing I do know is he won't be playing in Sweden next year.

 

[torero]

Russians should win this if they play the way they did against the US or against us (the Swiss).

4-2 ... with an empty netter.

 

[Bjornee]

With no game (right?) going into OT this year so far i would say Russia takes this in a SO.

 

[Sikhander]

Before the WJC I would have written that a game like this clearly would be won by Russia. Now I am not sure - complete toss up in my mind.

 

[ndd17]

What we have balance in the game against Sweden on WJC in the last years? I suspect that very negative, very.
The time to start to break it. Go, Russia.

 

[sverige]

Swedish victory today boys. We'll give back for Poltava.

 

[Anthony Mauro]

DraftBuzz Hockey preview.

1/4/2015

MATCH PREVIEW - SWE vs. RUS

In the quarterfinals, FIN gave SWE all they could handle and locked into a tie with them until the third period where SWE exerted it's dominance and pulled away. RUS had USA's number all game causing them to be undisciplined, which RUS capitalized on spending half the first period on the PP. SWE beat RUS 3-2 in the preliminary round, amidst an undefeated streak while RUS drew the attention of many with mixed results having fell hard in the final preliminary game vs. the soon to be Slovak ousted Czech's. All signs point to SWE winning a close match, with the outside possibility of RUS pulling off an upset with heroic goaltending and special teams play.

William Nylander, Oskar Lindblom, Adrian Kempe are three of Sweden's most dangerous forwards. Nylander is the puck carrier, who is showing to be an open ice threat though he hasn't capitalized on his chances as well as you would like. Lindblom has been a bit of an all around forward in the offensive zone putting just the right touch on shot and passes. Kempe has been the expert triggerman from the circles and lower. Defensive contributions come from Gustav Forsling's point excellence who is the 11th ranked goal scorer for both F and D, and tied for 2nd in points. Sebastian Aho has played really well without the points. Both had slightly troublesome lapses in play that helped give FIN some momentum. Playoff round means all hands on deck, and SWE has the right depth and pieces necessary to advance. Other key contributions may come from Axel 'not Alex' Holmstrom, AHL Jacob de la Rose, and Lucas Wallmark.

Vyacheslav Leshenko and Ivan Barbashev were two forward standouts from the USA match. Both crashed the net, and skated with attacking conviction. They have emitted a pro radiance all tournament. Pavel Buchnevich clocks in the top 30 scoring, and RUS will need him to be sharp, which hasn't been a consistent expectation. Buchnevich has fought drops in visibility even though he is one of the leaders with great KHL experience. Defensively, the unit has a blend of solid ingredients that lacks a bit of high end offense. Ivan Provorov is the most capable of spearheading an offensive chance, with Rushan Rafikov and Rinat Valiev being the most adept on the puck.

RUS has the clear advantage in goaltending skill, giving this deciding Gold Medal Game a great storyline of SWE high powered, remorseless offense vs. RUS ability to hold down the fort and deny SWE.

 

[BlitzSnipe]

The loosing streak ends today

Yeah, somehow Russia needs to crack their losing streak against the Swedes, and today would be a good day to do it. In a way, probability is against the Swedes. But we'll see, of course they're a tough team to play. Should be a very interesting match.

 

[hockey4sale]

this is very critical game, Sweden has Russia's number, most likely Sweden wins and then Canada gets gold for sure, Sweden just crumbles against the Canada for some reason, but if Russia somehow wins tonight then Canada should watch out, Russians have Canada's number and in Canada vs Russia final my bet is that Russia wins the gold this year.... Gold medal is at stake in this semi-final

I hope Refs let them play and don't make this another PP contest

 

[WilliamNylander]

the Nylander show

the spotlight is on now kid, lets see what you got

 

[c9gunner]

Really looking forward to watching the game. Let's go Russia.

 

[Teeder9]

6-3 Sweden

 

[Canadian Finn]

Sweden 3-1

 

[ulvvf]

Really surprised by our team so far, on paper the weakest we've had for years but Grönborg has managed to build a great TEAM out of it. Next years tourney will be amazing with something like 15 players returning including all the key ones: Nylander, Aho, Kylington, Lindblom, Holmström, Söderström, Forsling... etc.

So how often have we had 7 forwards (and that do not include JDLR) that have about 0,5 PPG in SHL, which we have this year? In the hype 2014 team, we had 2. Sure that do not include Forsberg and Lindholm that played in NHL/AHL then, so with them it would maybe have been 4, still lesser. Maybe the last year was better, but I would say that this swedish U20 team is by far the most underrated ever. Statswise it is maybe our best ever.

 

[Steveorama]

I have a feeling the Russian bear strikes back today. 3-2 in OT for the Putins.