When all the others shouted nightmare opponents, Carl Klingberg grinned and replied: “Bring it on.”
In the quarterfinals against Canada, the 31-year-old took his positive attitude out on the ice and almost immediately banked in 1-0 against the reigning world champions.
With a shot in the first cross, he gave Tre Kronor a dream start in Nokia Arena – and then the fun had just begun.
The full hit was long-awaited for Klingberg who has had the best plus / minus statistics in the Swedish team but without scoring in the group game.
After the taste started continued Three Crowns to play against a frustrated Canada. Five minutes later, it narrowed again behind goalkeeper Chris Driedger when Joakim Nordström blocked a finish and at the same time gave William Nylander a free kick.
“Lill-Nyllet” was then ruthless when he ran across the field and put the puck in the net roof.
The frustration in Canada was palpable and was expressed, among other things, when Max Comtois gave Joakim Nordström a push even though the game was called off. Rasmus Dahlin also got a slap in the face and fell to the ice when it ran over for Zach Whitecloud.
Carl Klingberg knew though exactly how he would handle the Canadian anger.
– Smile and wave. Just take it. We know they are frustrated now. It’s just to keep going. Take a slap and smile a little – then they become even grumpier, he said with a smile to Viaplay before the second period.
In the third period, Tre Kronor also increased to 3-0 when Max Friberg controlled Erik Gustafsson’s finish, this just seconds after the Frölunda forward put the puck in the post.
Logically, however, the match picture was not the goal. Canada played in the middle period and tested Linus Ullmark time after time in the Swedish box – but the Boston goalkeeper responded with one sweaty parade after another.
The reduction came instead in the third period which began in the best way for Canada. With a lot of people in front of goal, Ryan Graves managed to get a hole in Ullmark with a wrist shot after just one minute and 20 seconds.
The score is now 3-1.
The match is in progress
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