The first NHL game of four in four days in the Avicii arena (formerly the Globe) was eventful.
Lucas Raymond’s Detroit rallied 0–4 to 4–4 against Ottawa in front of a sold-out hall.
But then fell in overtime after Ottawa’s German star Tim Stützle scored two seconds before the end.
— Heavy, I think we play a good match over 60 minutes, sad not to come away from here with a win, says Raymond afterwards.
He started Detroit’s spectacular recovery when he shot 1-4 and many of the 12,487 spectators cheered a little extra for a Swedish goal.
“More fun with a win”
So did Raymond.
— Of course fun, it’s always fun to score goals and especially at home in front of the family. But it would have been more fun with a win, says the former Frölunda player.
The Red Wings jerseys dominated in the Avicii arena – no wonder when the Swedish club, thanks to legends such as Nicklas Lidström, Henrik Zetterberg and Nicklas Kronwall, all three in the stands, have become extremely popular in Sweden.
— It was fun, there were a lot of people and a lot of Red Wings fans too, says Raymond.
Chat with Hallam
After the match, he met Tre Kronor’s national team captain Sam Hallam in the corridor outside the dressing room.
After all, Raymond played in the WC last spring when Sweden, after a promising group stage, already went out in the quarter-finals against Latvia.
— We just talked a little quickly. We have a good relationship, I like Sam and think he’s a really good coach. It’s always fun to meet him, he says.
As early as Friday evening, there will be a chance for revenge. Then the classic teams Detroit and Toronto meet in what is expected to be the hottest of the four NHL games in Stockholm.
And two Swedish forward stars are pitted against each other – Raymond against red-hot William Nylander, who has scored in 15 games in a row.