Photo: Bildbyrån
The idea was that Mattias Ekholm would be benched in Tre Kronor’s last match in Four Nations – but it was still playing time due to illness within the team.
After the victory against the United States, the NHL back is disappointed with the union captain Sam Hallam.
– I would definitely like a longer conversation with Sam, he tells Sportbladet.
Sweden was already dependent on Four Nations after Canada’s victory against Finland who came on Monday night. This meant that Tre Kronor, even though they actually won against the home team USA by 2-1, could not reach the final. In the end it became a third place in the tournament, at least they managed to keep Finland behind them.
Ekholm played because of illnesses
The idea was that the union captain Sam Hallam would rotate a bit in the squad and let the forward Leo Carlsson And the hill Rasmus Anderssonwho previously had no playing time, play against the United States. However, given that Mika ZibanejadThe Rickard Rakell and Linus Ullmark forced to submit a rebate due to illnesses so they got the “benched” players Mattias Ekholm and Viktor Arvidsson Play anyway. Samuel Ersson Got to guard the cash register.
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Mattias Ekholm was not satisfied with Hallam’s initial decision to leave him over the last match. He had to take a taxi to get to the arena, and later he had to play nine minutes as a seventh back. He was really disappointed at playing time afterwards.
– I can only start by saying that I realize that someone has to sit. It’s no wonder. Then maybe I do not agree with those excuses or the reason for the bench. Maybe not to 110 percent, but that’s the business. We all look different at the game and hockey. It’s something that I simply have to buy, he tells Sportbladet.
Sam Hallam’s response to Ekholm’s criticism
Because it was so stressful for the last match, he couldn’t have anything anymore talked to Sam Hallam about why he was petitioned. On the other hand, it is something he would like to have in the future, so that he can breathe his views with the union captain. Ekholm does not want to say exactly what justification he received.
– I’m not going to stand here and say so. First of all, we will come from here and home to everyday life again. There will be a time when you can talk about it too, but I would definitely like a longer conversation with Sam first. Get to hear maybe a little more evolving, it gets so fast when a match dies like this. They should make a decision. If it is as it is then, then just chew in it, he says.
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The Sportbladet then asked Sam Hallam at a press conference why he chose to bench Mattias Ekholm (although it was not so).
– I give no motivation here. There is something that stops between us. I think no player who is not selected for a match is satisfied – and you should not be. We make decisions that we think is best for the team here and now, but the motivation stops internally between us, he replies.
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