After a long flight, the Swedish NHL stars landed on Italian soil on Sunday morning and completed their first ice session on the same day in the training hall next to the newly built Santagiulia Arena.
– It was a day of agreement. “We wanted to give them a fairly simple ‘skate’ where they only need to sweat a little and ‘ride out the trip’ to be ready for a full training session tomorrow,” says association captain Sam Hallam.
All players took to the ice and now it’s going to be a tough one – from an intensive schedule in the NHL, which only took a break from the Olympics on Wednesday, to a short national team tournament, which, if everything goes as planned, will last until the final on February 22nd.
– Of course it’s a change, but we knew about it and prepared for it. “So it’s nothing unusual,” says Mika Zibanejad – one of many whose Olympic dreams come true in Milan.
– It’s a childhood dream to represent Sweden at the Olympics and be a part of everything that goes with it – from the Olympic village to the training hall and everything else. “It’s something I’m excited to be a part of,” the New York Rangers star continued.
The team lives together with the ice hockey ladies and three figure skaters in the Olympic village, where conditions are simple – but even though they are used to a higher standard of living, no one complains.
– You get a place in bed. There is a shower, toilet and wardrobe. “There’s not much to complain about,” says goalkeeper Jakob Markström with a broad smile.
– This is what you have been looking forward to since your selection: flying here, landing here, feeling the atmosphere in the Olympic Village and starting to prepare for the tournament.
Just before training It was announced that Gabriel Landeskog would be the team captain. At the end of last season he celebrated his comeback in Colorado after an almost three-year injury layoff.
He suffered another injury in early January and was a shaky card ahead of the Olympics.
– We are positive. “Gabbe” was able to train in peace and quiet and had no stress. “It’s very good,” says Sam Hallam.
Assistant captains will be running backs Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay) and Erik Karlsson (Pittsburgh).
They too faced worrying injury reports in the month leading up to the Olympic tournament, but they are all ready to play in Milan. Apart from Leo Carlsson and Jonas Brodin, there have been no further offers for Sam Hallam since he was called up to the squad.
Landeskog didn’t play game in about a month, but the national team captain expects he will come to the tournament rested rather than completely rusty.
– The symbolism of Gabriel’s journey this season says a lot about him. “I know that every single player here has incredible respect for him,” says Sam Hallam.
– But it’s not just him, but the whole group with Hedman and Karlsson and a few other established people who have to step in for us as leaders.
Sweden begins the tournament on Wednesday at 9:10 p.m. against hosts Italy.
Facts.Tre Kronor’s Olympic schedule
February 11th: Sweden–Italy (October 21).
February 13th: Finland – Sweden (12.10).
February 14th: Sweden-Slovakia (12.10).
February 17th: Round of 16.
February 18th: Quarterfinals.
February 20: Semifinals.
February 21st: Bronze match.
February 22nd: Final.
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