Photo: Bildbyrån
The junior crowns won against Latvia and advanced to the semi-finals of the JVM.
But goalkeeper Melker Thelin had another tough day at work. So much so that he was stopped by the coaches from meeting the media after the victory.
– Absolutely not an easy match, but now he got through this, says the national team captain Magnus Hävelid.
Sweden’s Junior crowns have stood for an impressive JVM so far. Admittedly, they have conceded a lot of goals, but in all matches they have scored more goals than the opponent. The fifth straight victory came in the quarter-finals against Latvia – now the neighbors from Finland await in the semis.
Melker Thelin has not had an easy JVM
5-2 in the opener against Slovakia was followed by 8-1 against Kazakhstan. Then a dramatic finish in the 7-5 victory against Switzerland, when Sweden conceded three straight goals in the final stages of the match. After the win against the Czech Republic (4-2) in the group final, the easiest possible opposition awaited in the quarter. But Latvia were not completely unequal. Even though the Junior crowns had a 3-0 lead, it ended up being 3-2.
– Very weak return of Melker Thelin which should be able to suck in that puck. Unfortunate intervention, that should be a fairly easy rescue, says the expert Erik Granqvist in Viaplay about the second goal.
READ MORE: Erik Granqvist’s sharp criticism of the Junior crowns
It wasn’t the first time during the championship that Granqvist expressed that he doesn’t think Björklöven’s goalkeeper Thelin measures up right now. He said before the meeting with the Czech Republic that he hoped to Marcus Gidlöf would be allowed to stand. This after the “crash” against Switzerland, when Thelin conceded five goals. He has a modest save percentage of 88.42 percent so far in the tournament.
Thelin is defended by Magnus Hävelid
After the victory against Latvia, Thelin did not come out and face the pressure, like the other players. According to Sportbladet, he had received orders from the management staff, above all from the goalkeeper coach Viktor Almto remain in the dressing room. It was not the 19-year-old himself who said no to interviews, but he was stopped by the national team. This is to protect him. The management staff said it was about him getting fluids and nutrition and recovering.
READ MORE: Victor Hedman roars against Sweden ahead of the Four Nations
Melker Thelin had only two shots on him in the first period and two in the last. The national team captain Magnus Hävelid defended his goalkeeper and said that it is not easy to maintain focus when you get so few shots on yourself.
– 13 shots… I am impressed by his mentality, he is aware of what is written on the board. Definitely not an easy match, but now he got through this, and we came out victorious. I think it strengthens his confidence, he says.
What do you think of Sweden’s efforts in the JVM so far? Will they beat Finland in the semis? Feel free to write a comment on Sportbibeln’s Facebook page.
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