Leksands IF are almost at the stage where they can announce their presence in the Round of 16, following a 4-2 victory over Slovan Bratislava – the Swedish team’s third straight win and second against the Slovak entry. As for Slovan, they’re left still searching for their first points and will now probably need to win out and get some help in order to advance.

The damage was done early on, with Leksands striking twice in the first 3:19. First it was Fredrik Forsberg, banging in a rebound despite being tied up after a point shot from Calle Själin. Then right off an attacking-zone faceoff won by Nils Aman, Emil Haneman snapped a quick shot that beat Kristers Gudlevskis to the short side.

Slovan would get a couple of power-play chances to get back into the game in the second half of the opening period, but despite some good zone time, they never seriously threatened Axel Brage.

Just shy of the game’s midpoint, Slovan finally got on the board. It was created by a great play by Slovak international Tomáš Zigo, who carried the puck over the blueline and, despite being pulled down to the ice, managed to get his stick on the puck and send a one-handed pass across to Daniil Fominykh. The Russian then made a great play of his own to score, pulling the puck to his backhand to beat Brage, then sliding the puck into the open net.

That play seemed to inspire Slovan, who really came out with a lot of energy for the rest of the second period. Shortly after the goal, they went back to the power play hand Brage had to make a great save. Late in the period, Aman hit the post for Leksands.

Much like in the first period, Slovan were put back on their heels to start the third, and it cost them again with two more quick goals. First it was Mikael Ruohomaa on a rebound after a point shot from Justin Kloos just two seconds after the expiration of a penalty. Then less than two minutes later, Jon Knuts made it 4-1 when he deflected Forsberg’s point shot through Gudlevskis’ legs.

Slovan were down but not out, and got on back with less than 10 minutes to play when Peter Kundrik found Milan Kytnár in the slot, and he snapped it home.

Gudlevskis, who made 34 saves throughout the game, gave Slovan a chance when he made a faboulous save with about six minutes to go. In the dying minutes, the Latvian goalie went to the bench for the extra attacker, but his team could get no closer.