PRAGUE, 1 May 2004 — Anaheim Mighty Ducks winger Samuel Palsson scored with 55 seconds remaining to keep Sweden’s unbeaten record intact with a 1-1 tie against Finland at the World Championship yesterday.
Defending champions Canada also remained undefeated with a 2-0 shutout of Latvia on the first day of play in the qualifying round, where the 12 teams that survived the preliminary stage are playing in two groups.
Finland, who were looking for revenge after suffering a 6-5 loss to Sweden in last year’s tournament, appeared to be heading toward a Group F victory on Petteri Nummelin’s goal with just under five minutes to play in the second period.
But once again the Swedes pulled one out, with Palsson deflecting Christian Backman’s wrist shot off both goal posts and over the line. The Swedes have now won three and tied one in four games.
In Group E, Canada had a slightly easier time of it against Latvia, jumping out to a 2-0 lead and then coasting home. Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils defenseman Scott Niedermayer gave Canada all the firepower they needed.
Canada allowed Latvia to dominate for long stretches in the third period but Florida Panthers’ goaltender Roberto Luongo was in fine form and posted his first shutout of the tournament.
“I think we eased up a little bit when we should have kept going,” said Canada captain Ryan Smyth. “But Luongo kept us from getting into any trouble. He gave off very few rebounds and second chances.”
Canada have also won three games and tied one.
France set a record yesterday after being shut out for the fourth consecutive game. Kazakhstan beat the French 5-0, taking the beaten side’s scoring drought to 240 minutes — and counting. The previous record was set by Poland in the 2002 tournament when the team went three games — or 180 minutes — before scoring in the first period of their fourth match.
France opened the tournament with another dubious honor — Austria scored just nine seconds into the tournament against the French to set the record for quickest opening goal. France have two more games in the relegation round to try to end the streak.
