Italy Pushes Sweden in Surprise Thriller as International Hockey Heats Up
If you tuned into Italy vs. Sweden expecting a routine win for the perennial powerhouse, you got a lot more than you bargained for.
This one had drama, momentum swings, and a whole lot of heart from an Italian squad that came to play. Sweden may have walked away with the 5-2 win, but Italy made them earn every inch of it.
Let’s start with the headline: 21-year-old netminder Damien Clara. The Italian goalie prospect was nothing short of sensational before being forced to leave late in the game with what looked like cramping-or possibly a tweak from a save.
Up until that point, Clara was putting on a show, turning away high-danger chances and keeping Italy in a game where they were clearly the underdogs on paper. His performance was a big reason why this game stayed tight deep into the third.
Sweden, for their part, had the puck a lot. They piled on the shots and dictated pace for long stretches, but something just wasn’t clicking.
Whether it was jet lag, lack of chemistry, or just a scrappy Italian defense frustrating them, the Swedes never quite looked like the well-oiled machine we’re used to seeing. They had volume, but not enough bite-at least not early.
Still, talent tends to find a way. William Nylander found the back of the net, doing what top-tier players do in tight games.
Filip Gustavsson, Sweden’s goalie, had a very different night from Clara-less spectacular, more steady-but did enough to get the job done. Oliver Ekman-Larsson was dressed as the seventh defenseman but didn’t see ice time.
One talking point that lingered after the final whistle? The officiating.
Dan O'Rourke and Jan Hribik were the referees, and let’s just say the calls seemed to lean a little too friendly toward the home team. That’s not to say it changed the outcome, but it definitely raised some eyebrows.
As for Italy’s fire? Look no further than the bench.
Head coach Jukka Jalonen-yes, the same Jalonen who’s been a staple in Finnish hockey-has brought structure and belief to this group. And Clara, who plays his club hockey in Sweden, clearly had something to prove.
Add in a raucous home crowd, and suddenly you’ve got a team playing with real purpose.
Elsewhere, Slovakia pulled off a surprise of their own, knocking off Finland despite being outshot. Juraj Slafkovský made his presence felt, and Slovakia’s opportunistic play paid off in a big way. It’s a reminder that in tournament hockey, puck possession doesn’t always equal control.
Now, to be clear: no one’s going home just yet. These preliminary games are all about seeding, and a first-place finish in the group means a direct ticket to the quarterfinals. So yes, the stakes are real.
Looking ahead, it’s a packed day on the schedule.
- Team Canada Men square off against the Czech Republic at 10:30 a.m. local time. The Czechs always bring their A-game against Canada, and with Tomas Plekanec serving as an assistant coach, expect a team that’s dialed in and disciplined. Canada will need to match that intensity from the first puck drop.
- Team USA, led by Auston Matthews, faces Latvia at 3 p.m. If you’re looking for star power and offensive fireworks, this one should deliver.
- Team Canada Women wrap up their preliminary round against Finland at 8:30 a.m. This matchup will finalize the top group standings and lock in quarterfinal opponents. Expect a playoff-style atmosphere as both teams look to make a statement heading into the knockout stage.
And if you’re keeping tabs on the next generation, there was a highlight-reel moment in the OHL. Harry Nansi delivered an absolutely filthy pass to Nicholas Sykora, his teammate on the Owen Sound Attack. Leafs fans, keep your eyes on that duo-there’s some serious chemistry brewing.
We’re only just getting into the thick of the international schedule, and if yesterday’s action was any indication, this tournament is going to keep delivering. Buckle up.