SWEDEN 4 - SWITZERLAND 3 (SO)

Calgary, AB - Edmonton Oilers 2011 first-round draft pick Oscar Klefbom and Sweden improved to 2-0 at the World Junior Championship on Wednesday, but it wasn't without a scare from Switzerland, as the afternoon game at Scotiabank Saddledome ended in a 4-3 shootout decision. 

The Swedes held a 3-1 lead two minutes into the third period on the strength of goals by Max Friberg, Joakim Nordstrom and Ludvig Rensfeldt. But Switzerland scored twice in the final eight minutes of regulation to force a scoreless overtime and subsequent shootout, which Sweden won 2-0.

"It was a strong effort from our guys to bounce back after they tied it and work hard in the overtime and the penalty shots," Sweden Head Coach Roger Ronnberg said.

Swedish defenceman Klefbom — drafted 19th overall by the Oilers last June — had a steady game, finishing with an even rating and accumulating two shots on goal. The 6-foot-3 blueliner has a +2 rating thus far in the tournament.

"Switzerland was good so we had to work hard for the win," Klefbom said following the shootout victory. "We have to tighten up a few things like boxing out in front of the goal, but we'll work hard to be better. I'm very happy to be here and I want to be better every game."

Joel Vermin tallied two of Switzerland's three goals in the defeat, while Dean Kukan scored the other and added an assist. Swiss goalie Lukas Meili made a whopping 50 saves in a losing cause. Friberg and Sebastian Collberg scored the only two goals of the shootout to secure the win for Sweden after two rounds.

Klefbom and the Swedes have now posted wins over Latvia and Switzerland and will look to make it three straight victories on Friday when they play Slovakia at 3:30pm at the Saddledome. They close out the round-robin on Saturday at 8pm against the defending champions from Russia.

-- Ryan Frankson, edmontonoilers.com 

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