The three losses for Tre Kronor in Latvia could all have been victories. The 2-0 lead against the Czech Republic, which was lost 4-2, will be shaken because it is not the first, and not the last, time in the World Cup that Sweden will be beaten by the Czech Republic in a World Cup.
But the cod against Denmark (3–4) and Belarus (0–1) risk having crushed Tre Kronor’s chances of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in an eternity. Both losses must be clear examples of where the limit for the minimum level goes.
Denmark made a brilliant match against Tre Kronor and won deservedly. That’s probably the worst of all.
Belarus struggled exemplary and managed to zero Sweden and win for the first time in the World Cup. The fact that Great Britain also managed to keep the numbers down against Tre Kronor can be attributed to the British willingness to sacrifice, to cover shots at any cost.
And goalkeeper Ben Bowns – the Sheriff of the Nottingham Panthers – got over 50 shots against him and made one top save after another. The 30-year-old Briton may also have signed a contract with a club in a better league.
But what Tre Kronor has played in a positive way in the World Cup in Latvia is still very unclear. Only if there is a quarter-final can it be possible to start pointing out the person or persons who have been something to praise and praise.
Against Great Britain, it was a clear 4-1 victory after an unfortunate setback, which you have to look very far into the rule book to be able to approve. I have no problem admitting that Rickard Rakell tore down Brendan Connolly. Or that Connolly hardly had the strength or time to avoid a collision with Tre Kronor goalkeeper Viktor Fasth.
But that one of the judges claims that the puck was over Fasth’s finish line before the crash itself – no, it is impossible to agree with that.
Well, Tre Kronor managed to work their way out of a disadvantage and turn around and win. This is of course expected against Great Britain, which does not even have players at the Swedish SHL level.
Big time pressure brings @Trekronorse leading goal. ✊????????#SWEGBR#IIHFHockeypic.twitter.com/SY3hRdwx5t
– IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 28, 2021
Against Great Britain, the back pair Jonathan Pudas and Lawrence Pilut were a joy to watch. As they played. Puda’s shot and shot and his match-winning 2-1 goal was a real gem after a pass from Pilut.
The chain with Marcus Sörensen and the brothers Adrian and Mario Kempe was also sharp. And Max Friberg, Andreas Wingerli and Jesper Frödén worked hardest as usual.
Rickard Rakell and Victor Olofsson have a struggling World Cup and to be natural goal scorers in the NHL, they have an unnaturally difficult time finding their way in Riga. Maybe it is another lesson to learn for Swedish national team captains ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
Better hot players from the SHL or European top leagues than weak NHL players with enormous potential, which they have not shown for an entire season.
