“I was a bit worried beforehand as it is easy that players pull back a little a few games into the tournament,” said Swedish head coach Pär Mårts to dally Svenska Dagbladet (SvD).

“I am really pleased with how the game developed,” he added.

The Chicago Blackhawks center Marcus Kruger gave Sweden an early lead scoring 1:17 into the first period when he sent home a rebound from just outside the crease.

Germany poured into attack seeking the equalizer and their left-winger

Philip Gogulla levelled just before the first intermission scoring on Kai Hospelt’s pass.

But in the second period the Swedes stepped us a gear, scoring twice through Chicago Blackhawks forward Viktor Stålberg and Ottawa Senators blueliner Erik Karlsson who gave their team a comfortable 3-1 lead.

According to Karlsson, the goal was made possible by team member Johan Franzén standing in the way of the goal minder’s line of vision.

“It wasn’t a particularly spectacular shot,” he told news agency TT.

Germany’s Patrick Reimer narrowed the gap with 3:02 remaining in the second period but Niklas Persson restored Sweden’s two-goal lead 2:30 into the third, while Detroit Red Wings’ right wing Johan Franzén finalized the scoring at 48:32.

According to Karlsson, the Swedish team played well in Wednesday’s game, although he felt they were holding back compared to the three previous games of the tournament.

“It was perhaps not our best game – but if we win 5-2 we will have to be content. It was stable,” said Karlsson.