ST. CATHARINES, Ontario (AP) — Despite being outfitted with new equipment, Team Sweden is happy to have its old gear back.
Just a couple of hours prior to their pre-World Junior Hockey Championship exhibition game Tuesday against Team Canada in Toronto, the Swedes were finally reunited with their equipment, which arrived late due to the wintry weather conditions in Europe.
After the team landed in Toronto over the weekend empty-handed, Hockey Canada stepped in to set up an account at a sporting goods store to help outfit the players so they could practice in preparation for the exhibition game. Sweden used the new equipment for two practices before giving everything back to Hockey Canada.
Sweden opens the tournament on Sunday against Norway in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
