Sweden Games
Tuesday, November 6, 2001
Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm, Sweden- Canada's National Men's Team opened the 2001 Sweden Games in Stockholm with a loss to the host, Team Sweden. Canada National Team comprised of mainly of Canadian players that are currently playing in Europe started slowly but gained momentum on route to a 7-4 loss.

Canada opened the game with a 4 minute power play as former Anaheim Mighty Duck, Frank Banham was caught with a high stick resulting in 5 stitches. Unfortunately for Canada it was Team Sweden that scored short handed at the 3:51 mark of the first period on a clear cut breakaway on Canadian goalie, Jamie Ram. Following the shorthanded goal Team Sweden scored on two power plays of their own to finish the first period with a 3-0 lead.

Canada fought back with two goals at the start of the second period to close the gap to 3-2. Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan native, John Miner converted a rebound in the slot to score Canada's first goal at the 8:48 mark of the second period. Another Canadian Defenseman and veteran of 510 NHL games, Chris Joseph scored with a bullet from the point to bring Canada within 1.

Sweden responded with four unanswered goals, two while on the power play to take a commanding 7-2 lead into the dressing room at the end of the second period.

Team Canada regrouped for the third period and scored a quick goal 28 seconds into the final frame and finished the scoring with a shorthanded beauty by Clogone Shark, Jason Young of the German Elite league. Young intercepted an errand Swedish pass and walked in all alone and buried a shot over the glove of the Swedish goalie Andreas Hadelov.

Team Canada finished the game with 24 shots on goal to Sweden's 36. Jamie Ram was outstanding in the Canadian goal facing 30 shots over the first two periods. Tonight's game was played in front of an appreciative Swedish crowd of approximately 8,500 fans.

Team Canada will regroup tonight and face the Russians in their opening game of the tournament on Wednesday.

Other results at the Sweden Games saw Team Czech outscore Team Finland 7-2 in the only game that will be played outside of Sweden in Helsinki.

Game Summary