Sweden defeat Slovakia as late goal reshapes the group race

Sweden defeated Slovakia 5–3 in Olympic men’s hockey group B, with Elias Pettersson scoring twice. The victory handed Slovakia its first defeat in Milan, but Dalibor Dvorsky’s last-minute power-play goal left the Slovaks well placed to win the group on head-to-head goal difference.

Lucas Raymond and Adrian Kempe each contributed a goal and an assist, while Joel Eriksson Ek also scored. Slovakia replied through Juraj Slafkovsky, Martin Gernat and Dvorsky. Sweden finished with a 51–32 advantage in shots during the physical contest.

Jacob Markstrom made twenty-nine saves in his Olympic debut, and Samuel Hlavaj stopped forty-six Swedish shots. Slovakia’s final group position still depended on Finland defeating Italy in regulation later that day, making the late goal consequential beyond the result of the match itself.