Three tournaments and three first places – Sam Hallam has had a brilliant start as the national team captain for Tre Kronor. The victory in the home tournament in Malmö arena was secured via 3–1 against Finland.
In November, Tre Kronor won the Karelian Tournament in Finland and in December it won first place in the Swiss Hockey Games in Switzerland.
— Yes, but it’s tight. That’s just the way it is, says Hallam after the victory against Finland in front of 9,327 spectators.
— We get the match where we want in our game. The guys are really stepping up. When we also have a good powerplay, that is often what makes the difference, says Sam Hallam.
“No indication”
In the Karjala tournament, only SHL players were selected. For the Swiss Hockey Games, professionals from the Swiss league NL dominated the squad. In Malmö it was a mix. For the WC in Finland and Latvia in May, Hallam also hopes for reinforcements from the NHL, but how many? He doesn’t dare say that.
— I don’t know any indication. Now, I was in North America quite recently, but since then it’s been a week where we’ve been here and focused here. Then we simply need more time, and things happen quickly.
Injuries, illnesses and teams surprisingly advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs are factors beyond Hallam’s control.
Reality rules
— It is very difficult to wish. It is unnecessary for me to sit and write wish lists when it is reality that rules. We have to let reality give what it has, then we have to make sure we are as prepared as possible to know what we are looking for, says Hallam.
In Malmö, Tre Kronor fell in the opening match against the Czech Republic (1–2 after extra time), but then there were victories against Switzerland (2–0) and Finland. Over three games, Sweden only allowed a total of 47 shots on goal against goalkeepers Lars Johansson (two games) and Jhonas Enroth (one game).
— When we end up in defensive play in our own zone, I am very satisfied with how determined we are and how many stops we get in the game, how calm we are. And how few scoring chances we concede, says Hallam.