Sweden Stung in Italy: lucas raymond Penalty Wipes Out Group B Title
Lucas Raymond delivered a highlight-reel goal and finished with three points in Sweden’s 5-3 victory over Slovakia at the Milano Cortina Olympics, but a late slashing minor changed the group standings and denied the Swedes the top seed in Group B. The sequence left Sweden celebrating a win while watching the group outcome slip away.
Late Penalty, Big Consequences
With 39 seconds left in regulation, Lucas Raymond was assessed a slashing minor after making contact with Slovakia captain Tomas Tatar. The penalty put Sweden shorthanded in the final minute and gave Slovakia a power play that resulted in a goal by Dalibor Dvorsky. That tally trimmed the margin to 5-3 and proved decisive beyond the scoreboard: in a three-way tie among Slovakia, Finland and Sweden, the tiebreaker used was goal differential in games involving the three teams. The late power-play goal left Sweden at -1 in that mini-table, while Slovakia finished +1 and Finland even, effectively costing Sweden the group’s top spot despite winning the match.
The action underscored how a single moment in the final minute can ripple through tournament standings. Players and coaches celebrated the win on the ice, but the postgame calculations made clear that the timing of the penalty had outsized consequences.
Raymond’s Big Night and What He Did Right
Before the penalty, Raymond was the driving force behind Sweden’s offensive push. He darted through the Slovak defense in the third period, beating defenseman Simon Nemec and tucking a highlight goal through the pads of goalie Samuel Hlavaj. That score, combined with two assists, gave Raymond a three-point night and placed him among the tournament’s top scorers with five points.
Beyond the statistics, Raymond’s puck skills and playmaking were on full display. He registered six shots on goal and was a consistent threat in transition and on the power play. The offensive output reinforced his role as a key catalyst for Sweden, even as the late penalty will be the play most discussed in tournament recaps.
Implications and What's Next (Times in ET)
The ramifications extended beyond Sweden’s locker room. Germany’s campaign also ended after a loss in the final round-robin games, meaning several teams will head into the knockout rounds reshuffled. Players from other teams produced notable moments as well: a Grand Rapids Griffins winger scored Latvia’s lone goal in a semi-loss to Sweden, and one roster regular is expected to return to his national side in coming games.
Looking ahead, a marquee matchup featuring Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond is scheduled to take place at 3: 00 p. m. local time in Italy, which is 9: 00 a. m. ET. That game promises another chance for Raymond to shine and for coaches to adjust lines after the group-stage drama. For Sweden, the task now is to channel the mix of confidence from a strong win and the frustration of lost positioning into sharper play in elimination hockey.
In short, the game was a microcosm of tournament hockey: individual brilliance, split-second mistakes and consequences that extend far beyond the final buzzer. Raymond’s night will be remembered both for his flash and for the penalty that reshaped the bracket.
