Tre Kronor plays seven group matches in the World Cup in Finland, and on three occasions they play a match two days in a row.
Johan Garpenlöv is anything but happy with that.
– The game schedule is a disaster. This is the second World Cup tournament in a row that we play “back-to-back” three times. I think it is we and the United Kingdom who have it that way. We can win matches anyway, we have shown that, but it is very strange that it can be like that in a World Cup tournament, says Tre Kronor’s national team captain.
“Disaster”
He says that they have raised their opinions about the game schedule but that they have received the answer that it is according to the regulations.
– It is those above me who decide but I think it is a disaster, says Garpenlöv.
TT: How do you feel about the energy level of the players after the tough introductory program?
– Today I think the first period was more about attitude. Then I do not mean that you shit in it, but if you lower a few percent and meet a good team, you lose the initiative. We want the initiative, own the puck and be the driving force. We were not in the first period. But that was us in the second and third period, then we play as we want to do in terms of attitude, says Garpenlöv.
“Must learn”
He continues:
– I think maybe that you unconsciously sometimes think that you are set and prepared but that you are not always like that all the time. Then this matching can be a part of it, absolutely. But if you say that, it’s just excuses. These are new matches and you have to learn to gear up.
Tre Kronor lost to the USA with 2-3 after Adam Gaudette decided with 11.4 seconds left. It was Sweden’s first loss in the tournament.