MILAN, Feb 14 : Slovakia lost the battle but won the war against Sweden on Saturday, as they clawed their way to the top of Group B on goal differential despite losing to the Nordic powerhouse 5-3, earning a bye into the men's ice hockey quarter-finals. The winners of each of the three preliminary groups and the next best overall team automatically advance to the quarter-finals in Milan, while the remaining teams compete in a single-elimination qualification play-off. Kempe scored four seconds into a power play midway through the second, putting the puck under the Slovakian goalie's glove, but defenceman Martin Gernat answered less than three minutes later, sending the puck zipping by the Swedish goaltender's right skate for the equaliser.
Published at: 2026-02-14 23:42:46
Still want to read the full version? Full article
