LILLEHAMMER – After a loss on the opening they the Swedish women’s team got its second win within 21 hours to move to take first place for the Czechs after edging them 2-0.

Lina Ljungblom scored the game-winning goal in the second period, the second was a shot into the empty net as the Czechs worked hard on a comeback.

“I’m very proud of the team. I’m very happy. We knew they are a very good team and hoped to win,” Ljungblom said.

The game was scoreless for a long time and in the first period the Czechs had more chances. However, the goal could have been scored on any side. Lina Ljungblom had a huge chance for Sweden when the puck was loose in front of the Czech net but Karolina Juricova got the disc under control and with the buzzer for the first intermission Josefin Bouveng and Maja Nyhlen Persson had a two-on-one.

The Swedes started stronger into the second period. Sofie Lundin had a great chance in the ninth minute of play on a breakaway but hit the goalie. However, with the next shift at 9:02 Ljungblom broke through the Czech defence, skated to the right side and beat Juricova to open the scoring. Lundin was close to extending the lead when she appeared alone in front of the net but her shot went wide.

The Czechs had a good start into the third period but didn’t manage to tie the game. The Swedes stood strong and were ready for counter-attacks. With 36 seconds left Josefin Bouveng scored the 2-0 goal into the empty net.

“We were better in the first period but in the second period they were pushing more. We didn’t give up and fought until the end but it just didn’t happen,” a sad Anna Kotounova said after the game.

Sweden will play the last game tomorrow against winless Norway while the Czechs will face Switzerland, the only undefeated team so far, in the last game.

MARTIN MERK