A lost golden chance – but also a start for upcoming major tournaments.
That was the outcome of Tre Kronor’s bronze journey in the WC in the Czech Republic.
– We must be satisfied even if it didn’t go the way we wanted. We know that we are more than capable of fighting for gold, says Erik Karlsson.
The team captain and goalscorer in the 4–2 victory in the bronze medal match against Canada looks forward to upcoming major tournaments with the national team with excited anticipation.
Four-nation tournament in the USA and Canada in the winter for the NHL players, the WC in Stockholm in a year and the Olympics in Milan in just under two years. Gold was the goal in the WC in the Czech Republic – it became a bronze.
Important basis
But an important foundation has been laid, the stars reasoned afterwards.
– It has been good to get to know the coaching staff and the way they want to play hockey. It’s fun to have had a few weeks together. Now it’s just a matter of chewing on this summer so you come as well prepared as possible, he says Victor Hedman.
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Erik Karlssonwho made his first national team tournament in eight years, believes the WC weeks could be important for the future:
– It was very fun for me personally to get to know so many new people that you have only seen from places before. Both players and coaching staff. I think it has been an important trip for everyone because we will do more tournaments together.
“Want to change denomination”
Victor Hedman and Karlsson, the mountain giants, are close friends and want to win gold together in Tre Kronor.
– It was the second time we took bronze together, so we want to change the denomination next time, says Hedman, who took part in winning WC gold in 2017.
Both he and Erik Karlsson are 33 years old and see the upcoming seasons’ major tournaments as somewhat of a last chance.
Marcus Johansson, also 33 years old, made his WC debut and was responsible for a great tournament. The Minnesota forward accounted for both a goal and an assist in the bronze match and a total of twelve points (6+6) in the tournament.
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He talked about the difficulty of reloading after the semi-final loss against the Czech Republic (3-7) on Saturday.
– It’s still hard to swallow that it was this medal (bronze) we were playing for today. We had to regroup, accept what happened yesterday and put it behind us, he says.
About the upcoming major tournaments, he says:
– Who doesn’t want to be there? It is in those tournaments that the best hockey is played.
READ MORE: Erik Karlsson says what he really thinks of the legendary Peter Forsberg – completely honest words: “After everything he has done”
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The Four Nations Tournament:
Given from the WC team: Erik Karlsson, b, Victor Hedman, b, Rasmus Dahlin, b, Joel Eriksson Ek, f, Marcus Johansson, f, Lucas Raymond, f.
Given NHL stars who did not play in the WC: Jacob Markström, mv, Linus Ullmark, mv, Mika Zibanejad, f, Filip Forsberg, f, Elias Pettersson, f, William Nylander, f, Jesper Bratt, f.
Other aspirants: A number of NHL Swedes have to show in terms of form next season that they want to participate. On the back side, Florida’s Gustav Forsling is on the verge of being given, but since the competition is tough, it is important to perform. Other good back candidates are Mattias Ekholm, Hampus Lindholm and Oliver Ekman Larsson. The same on the forward side, where defensive power is also needed. Fabian Zetterlund is enthusiastic and works hard, and bronze shooter Carl Grundström strengthened his shares.
The four-nation tournament with Sweden, Finland, Canada and the USA will be played in North America (there are rumors of Boston and Montreal) February 12-20 next year.
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