By Michael Caples –
In the first of two international rivalry matchups, Sweden emerged victorious.
Team Sweden – featuring more Michigan connections than any other country – scored twice in the second period to beat Finland 2-1 and advance to Sunday’s gold-medal game.
The Swedes will take on the winner of the USA vs. Canada game, which will be played at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Loui Eriksson and Erik Karlsson scored for Team Sweden, while Henrik Lundqvist stopped 25 of 26 shots.
Olli Jokinen scored Finland’s only goal.
Six players that Michigan’s hockey audience are very familiar with will be competing for gold with Team Sweden in Sunday’s final – Red Wings players Jonathan Ericsson, Niklas Kronwall, Daniel Alfredsson, Gustav Nyquist and Jonas Gustavsson, along with University of Michigan alum Carl Hagelin.
Here’s a look at how the Michigan connections did in Friday’s semifinal:
Daniel Alfredsson – Detroit Red Wings – no points, no shots, even plus/minus, 15:36 TOI
Jonathan Ericsson – Detroit Red Wings – 1 assist, 1 point, 1 shot, even plus/minus, 22:02 TOI
Niklas Kronwall – Detroit Red Wings – no points, 2 penalty minutes, 2 shots, even plus/minus, 22:06 TOI
Gustav Nyquist – Detroit Red Wings – no points, no shots, even plus/minus, 3:38 TOI
Carl Hagelin – University of Michigan alum – no points, 2 shots, -1 rating, 10:25 TOI
Jonas Gustavsson – Detroit Red Wings – did not play