Ryan Leonard And Team USA Fall To Team Sweden, 5-2, In 2024 World Championship Opener


Photo: IIHF

Team Sweden downed Team USA, 5-2 on the first day of the 2024 IIHF World Championships on Friday in Ostrava, Czechia. Friday’s Sweden-USA tilt was also the first World Championship game for Washington Capitals first round draft pick Ryan Leonard, who began the game at right wing on the third line.

1ST PERIOD

Sweden wasted little time in opening the scoring. EIght minutes and 20 seconds into the game Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek started the scoring on a delayed penalty off a beautiful wrist shot. Sharks defenseman Tim Heed and Wild forward Marcus Johansson assisted on the goal to give Sweden the early lead.

The first period ended with Sweden still up 1-0. Sweden lead that period with 12 shots on goal to USA’s 7.

2ND PERIOD

Three minutes and 15 seconds into the  second period Sweden struck again as Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond’s shot went by Red Wings teammate Alex Lyon to make it 2-0, with Eriksson Ek and Victor Hedman getting the assists on the goal.

Sweden had played several exhibition games beforehand and showed throughout the game’s first half. Team USA had just one tuneup before today’s start to the tournament.

Eight minutes and 47 seconds later, Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski cut the Tre Kroner lead in half off of a wicked slap shot. Blackhawks defenseman and former teammate of Werenski’s,  Seth Jones, got the primary assist and Wild forward Matt Boldy had the secondary assist on the goal.

Unfortunately Sweden answered quickly, as former Washington Capitals forward Marcus Johansson sniped one right by Lyon off a nice pass from Maple Leafs center Pontus Holmberg to make it 3-1 Sweden.

The second period ended with Sweden leading Team USA 3-1. Sweden again led in shots in the second period 14-12 and overall led in shots 26-19.

Capitals forward Ryan Leonard had nine shifts totaling seven minutes and forty-five seconds of icetime through two,periods.

3RD PERIOD

Three minutes and forty-three seconds into the third period, Brock Nelson received a centering pass from Johnny Gaudreau and scored to cut the lead down to one with Boldy getting a assist as well.

After the goal, Ericsson Ek went after his Wild teammate Boldy during the celebration.

But with the net empty late in the game, Holmberg found Hedman to seal the deal and ice the game for Sweden.

Ericsson Ek would also get a empty net goal in the dying seconds for his second tally of the game to make it 5-2, the final.

For the game, Capitals prospect Ryan Leonard recorded 9:42 of total ice time, but no shots on goal.

Team USA will get right back after it tomorrow (Saturday) when they face Team Germany. Puck drop is set for 2:20 PM ET.

By Ethan Berman

About Harrison Brown

Harrison is a diehard Caps fan and a hockey fanatic with a passion for sports writing. He attended his first game at age 8 and has been a season ticket holder since the 2010-2011 season. His fondest Caps memory was watching the Capitals hoist the Stanley Cup in Las Vegas. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, photography, and hanging out with his two dogs. Follow Harrison on Twitter @HarrisonB927077





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