Sweden Wins 5-2 Over Germany in World Cup Opener

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, August 31, 2004

Sweden defeated Germany 5-2 in their first round-robin match of the 2004 World Cup of Hockey tonight in Stockholm. Swedish Captain Mats Sundin led the way with a goal and two assists playing on a line with Fredrik Modin and Daniel Alfredsson.

Sweden’s top line of superstars Peter Forsberg and Markus Naslund, centered by Henrik Zetterberg did not generate a lot of offence against Germanys tight checking defense.

“Their line didn't quite live up to the expectations. They didn't get the space we had hoped for." Said Swedish coach Hardy Nilsson.  

It was a different look to th Swedish lines, as it was the first time Forsberg had played. Zetterberg had looked good in three exhibition games partnered with Daniel and Henrik Sedin. Nilsson obviously hoped Zetterberg could create the room for Forsberg and Naslund that he had for the Sedins.

The lack of explosiveness from the top line may be little to worry about. Sundin’s line carried the team this evening and Zetterberg’s line may have been getting a feel for each other and saving something for games that matter. All eight teams make it to the elimination round.  So, the lines may not be changed much in tomorrow’s game versus the Czech Republic. 

Zetterberg Assists In Swedens First 2004 World Cup Exhibition Game

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, Aug 22, 2004

Henrik Zetterberg registered an assist on Team Sweden’s very first goal in their first exhibition match of the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. The assist came when Daniel Sedin scored on goalie Jan Lasak 2:24 into the first period of a 2-0 win over Slovakia.  Zetterberg took a pass from Henrik Sedin behind Slovakia's net and sent a nice backhand pass out to Daniel, open in the slot.  See Highlight

Swedish goaltender Michael Tellqvist of the Toronto Maple Leafs got the shutout, starting over veteran Tommy Salo, who retired from the NHL this offseason to rejoin MODO of the Swedish Elite League.

Also scoring a powerplay goal for “Tre Kroner” was NHL All-Star Markus Naslund, Captain of the Vancouver Canucks. He was assisted by Swedish legends Mats Sundin of the Maple Leafs and defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, Zetterberg’s Detroit Redwings teammate.

It was Sweden’s third line of Zetterberg and the two Sedins, Daniel and brother Henrik, who played a great game together. The line moved the puck well and generated several scoring chances. The line will not necessarily remain intact as Sweden continues and coach Hardy Nilsson attempts to get the best offensive combinations together. Superstar Peter Forsberg did not play in the first game and is likely to be the teams top center going into the World Cup. Also not playing in today’s exhibition game was Tomas Holmstrom of the Redwings.

Here were the lines used against Slovakia:

Fredrik Modin- Mats Sundin- Daniel Alfredsson

Andreas Johansson- Samuel Phalsson- Markus Naslund

Henrik Zetterberg- Henrik Sedin- Daniel Sedin

P.J. Axelsson- Jorgen Jonsson- Marcus Nilson

As Forsberg returns to the lineup the top two lines may look something like this: