Max Friberg, who was a late add to the team last year and took the opportunity to make a name for himself, scored four goals and helped Sweden defeat Latvia 4-9 in their first game of the 2012 World Junior Championship.

Friberg, an Anahiem prospect, got things started on the power play as Latvia's Zemgus Girgensons was in the box for charging. Latvia cashed in on their power play opportunity as Toms Anderson tied it up two minutes later with Sweden's Ludvig Rensfeldt was in the box for tripping.

Just 16 seconds later, Friberg scored his second to give Sweden the 2-1 lead. Two minutes later, Mika Zibanejad scored on the power play, as Latvia took a too many men penalty, to make it 3-1. Latvia kept things interesting as Roberts Lipsbergs scored 41 seconds later to pull the underdogs back within one.

In the second period, Sebastian Collberg restored Sweden's two goal lead almost six minutes into the period, but once again Latvia responded well and pulled within one as Lipsbergs earned his second of the game. Two minutes later. Erik Thorell made it 5-3 and Sweden never looked back.

Less than a minute later, Zibanejad made it 6-3 with a power play goal. Midway though the third, Joakim Nordstrom made it 7-3. Friberg made it 8-3 on the power play and two minutes later added his fourth to make it 9-3.

In the final minutes of play, Girgensons scored for Latvia to make it 9-4, but was obviously too little too late as Sweden earns their first victory of the tournament.

Latvia will play Slovakia tomorrow while Sweden will meet Switzerland on Wednesday.

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