Tre Kronor Clinch a Hard-Fought 5-2 Victory Against Italy in Olympic Opener

Sweden's national ice hockey team, Tre Kronor, emerged victorious in a challenging Olympic opener against host nation Italy, winning 5-2 at the Santa Giulia Arena in Milan. Despite entering as heavy favorites, Sweden faced early hurdles including an initial goal by Italy, capitalizing on a puck mishandling by Swedish goalie Filip Gustavsson.

The match saw several momentum swings; Sweden equalized and briefly took the lead before Italy tied the match again. It was not until the second period when William Nylander's goal restored Sweden's advantage at 3-2. Mika Zibanejad further extended the lead late in the game before Victor Hedman capped the score with an empty-net goal.

Coach Johan Garpenlöv acknowledged Italy's strong defensive play and emphasized the necessity for Sweden to tighten their defense for upcoming matches, particularly against Finland. Sweden also set a new Olympic record for shots on goal, firing 60 shots throughout the contest, highlighting their relentless offensive pressure.

However, the game was marked by an unusual incident before the puck drop. Sweden delayed their warm-up, reportedly due to a habit of shorter NHL warm-up routines. This delay unsettled the Italian team, with Italian player Cristiano DiGiacinto conceding it got "under their skin," adding a layer of psychological complexity to the match. Swedish captain Gabriel Landeskog described the delay as a lighthearted tactic.

Erik Karlsson reflected on the match, expressing relief and satisfaction with the victory: "It was nice to have this run-through. We had to fight really hard."

Despite the shaky start and the unexpectedly stiff competition from Italy, Sweden demonstrated resilience and offensive prowess to secure their first Olympic win. The team's performance, while victorious, also serves as a reminder for defensive improvements as they prepare for their next challenge against Finland this Friday.