Sweden has always been adept at producing hockey goaltenders.
Pekka Lindmark and Henrik Lundqvist are two of our greatest.
And there is so much respect between both goalkeeper heroes.
Few Swedish hockey goalies can compare with Henrik Lundqvist’s incredible track record in North America. With 15 years and over 1,000 games for the New York Rangers, he is not only one of the club’s biggest icons, but one of the best goaltenders in NHL history.
King Lundqvist
He has been nicknamed “The King of New York” for a clear reason and combined with being damn good at saving pucks, Lundqvist has also been one of the most popular players in the NHL. After being forced to end his playing career prematurely due to heart problems, “Henke” has also been inducted into the exclusive Hockey Hall of Fame.
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But there was a time when Henrik Lundqvist had to fight his way up and he only reached North America as a 23-year-old. Before that, he was a celebrated star goalkeeper in Frölunda but only the third goalkeeper in Tre Kronor behind Tommy Salo and Mikael Tellqvist.
READ MORE: Pekka Lindmark and Anders Limpar’s apology to Ingemar Stenmark after shameful behavior: “Pure fucking bullying”
Pekka’s Tribute
One who was not at all happy about the treatment of Lundqvist was the legendary goaltending hero Pekka Lindmark and we’ll never forget when he really messed up in connection with the World Cup in 2004. The former great goalkeeper really wanted to see Henke as the new first-choice goalkeeper in the national team.
– Lundqvist is my man. I had him as a favorite before the tournament and I have not become less convinced after what I have seen. For me, the answer is a given: I would bet on Henrik Lundqvist, Lindmark said in an old interview with Aftonbladet.
– He can come in and play completely relaxed. He has everything to gain, nobody expects anything from him. I think it’s very strange that you bring in a guy, who was Tre Kronor’s best player in the World Cup, and then don’t let him get the chance. Not even in practice matches.
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Pekka thought it was completely wrong that Lundqvist was only the third goalkeeper in the tournament and did not get the chance between the posts. He was annoyed that the Swedish national team management preferred Salo and Tellqvist because they played in North America.
– “Tellan” and Salo are not regulars in the NHL, while Henke is superior in the Elitserien. Why doesn’t Henke get the same chance as the other two? It’s something I’m thinking about anyway, Lindmark stated.
– Put Henke in, that’s the advice I can give.
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READ MORE: When Pekka Lindmark was going to celebrate with a bottle of wine and received the most unexpected phone call of his career
The post Pekka Lindmark roars and says exactly what he thinks of Henrik Lundqvist: “For me it’s a given” appeared first on Sportbibeln.