Despite a quiet debut from Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Rasmus Andersson, Sweden powered past host Italy 5-2 on Wednesday in the men’s hockey preliminary round at the Winter Olympics. Andersson logged 19:05 of ice time and recorded two shots as Sweden set an Olympic record with 60 shots on goal.
Italy, the heavy underdog, tied the game 2-2 in the second period before Sweden pulled away. Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin notched three assists, while center Mika Zibanejad contributed a goal and an assist. Swedish goaltender Damian Clara made 46 saves before leaving the game in the third period due to injury.
Sweden’s victory came on the same day Slovakia stunned Finland 4-1, putting both teams atop Group B with three points each. Slovak goaltender Samuel Hlavaj, of the AHL’s Iowa Wild, made 39 saves to frustrate Finland’s potent offense.
Several Golden Knights players are scheduled to compete Thursday. Goaltender Akira Schmid and Switzerland face France at 3:10 a.m., followed by Canada at 7:40 a.m. — featuring Knights forwards Mark Stone and Mitch Marner, defenseman Shea Theodore, and assistant coach Bruce Cassidy — against Czechia and Knights forward Tomas Hertl. Team USA, with Knights forwards Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin, takes on Latvia at 12:10 p.m. Germany faces Denmark, though injured Knights forward Jonas Rondbjerg has been ruled out for Denmark.
