In a hard-fought World Junior Championship semifinals game between Team Sweden and Team USA, special teams decided the game. But in a weird twist, it was the team a man down who did the clutch scoring.
With Team Sweden up 2-0 in the third period, Swedish forward Linus Lindstrom took a holding the stick penalty. Instead of a USA comeback, Sweden would ice the game.
51 seconds into the penalty kill, Swedish forward Oskar Steen scored shorthanded to make it 3-0. 38 seconds later, Capitals prospect Axel Jonsson-Fjällby tallied Sweden’s second shorty while killing that same minor penalty.
The unlikely SHGs would lead Sweden to victory.
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AXEL JONSSON FJÄLLBY! THE @Capitals PROSPECT CURRENTLY WITH @difhockeyse SLAMS ONE HOME FOR THE SECOND SHORTY ON THE PENALTY KILL! pic.twitter.com/tFPsmVKBHL
— NHL Daily 365 (@NHLDaily365) January 4, 2018
Jonsson-Fjällby took a pass from Djurgården teammate Marcus Davidsson and advanced towards the American goal. Facing Scott Perunovich, Fjällby fired the puck in his stride to beat goalkeeper Joseph Woll, who got the hook right after the puck hit the net.
Sick shorthanded snipe from Jonsson Fjallby makes it 4-0 Sweden pic.twitter.com/BQaopv49d9
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) January 4, 2018
The follicly-gifted Jonsson-Fjällby now has four points in six games while skating on Sweden’s fourth line. He has scored two goals, both shorthanded.
Team USA got two back late in the game, but Sweden ended up winning 4-2. Friday night, Team Sweden will play the Junior World Championship gold-medal game.
They will face the winner of the game Canada-Czech Republic.
No joke, Axel Jonsson Fjallby (WSH) has been one of my favorite players to watch in this tournament. Super fast, mudflaps flying out the back of his helmet and makes a lot of smart plays. Speed demon. He's fast, is what I'm trying to say.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) January 4, 2018
