PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Seven straight wins in the group stage.
But it is now that the WC really begins – against arch-rival Finland in the quarter-finals.
– It will be a lot of fun, I have good memories, says back star Victor Hedman
Victor Hedman brings up the Olympic final in 2006 which he watched in front of the television and the semi-final in 2017 on the way to the WC gold in Cologne when he himself was there.
– It will be extremely fun and inspiring. It’s always incredibly fun matches, says Hedman.
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He has nothing against Tre Kronor going in as favourite.
– We know what we can do. It’s about being disciplined in our game and not giving them anything. You look at their team and see that they invested in homegrown, they have a coach who succeeded very well, he says after the final 6-1 victory over Slovakia.
“Becomes airplane mode”
Lucas Raymond showed the way with the 1–0 goal in the power play, produced by Hedman in particular.
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The Detroit forward, who scored his fourth goal of the tournament, faces his clubmate Olli Määttä in the quarter-finals.
– He is a good player and a good friend. I don’t think there will be much talk before, we’ll have to deal with that later. He’s in airplane mode, he says with a laugh.
“Really strong group”
Finland has not impressed and took only 10 points in their group against a Tre Kronor who went clean and took the full pot, 21 points, in their WC group.
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But the national team captain Sam Hallam tones it down.
– It will be very exciting, a great match. Two teams that know each other well, we have faced each other eight or nine times this season. They have put together a really strong group that plays tight and their game to the fullest. We have little to prepare for, but we face a team that is difficult to force, he says.
Lucas Raymond on what it means that Sweden has won seven straight victories:
– It’s fun, we want to win every game. But now the important part begins. I’d rather get right into a playoff and take gold than win it all and miss out.
Do you think Sweden will win against Finland? Share the article and have your say!
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