The most competitive match likely for Group A in Germany came on the opening day, when the top two teams met in the early game.
In front of a sold out crowd, the pace was fast and the whistles seemed to be in pockets, NHL style.
Sweden dominated territorial in the first half much of the time. Their top line was particularly effective and their first goal was scored by Elias Lindholm from Victor Rask and Victor Hedman. Unfortunately that was the only goal the Swedes scored all game.
Russia came out with power and speed in the third, and everything that had been working before started to fray at the edges.