Sweden’s NHL stars Lucas Raymond and Rasmus Sandin were in a joking mood after Monday’s win over Finland.
Tampere
When Sweden defeated Finland in a late match Monday at the Nokia Arena, Detroit’s NHL forward Lucas Raymond became Sweden’s biggest hero in his run to the winning goal.
As Sweden’s second shooter, Raymond dunked the puck easily between the legs of Legion goalkeeper Emile Larmee.
When Raymond was allowed to shoot again in the next pair, he repeated the same with slightly more brilliance, forcing Laramie to nearly break his racket at the post.
Sweden’s 2–1 victory was their second consecutive win against Finland in as many days. In the Eurovision Song Contest on the night between Saturday and Sunday, Sweden’s representative Loreen defeated Finland’s Karija by power of the judges’ votes.
Trey Kronor stunned Finn before the match even started. For the warm-up, teams always got to choose a favorite song, and Sweden’s choice was Lorraine’s winning song Tattoo.
But does the Swedish team have good intelligence? It’ll get it, vowed rank-and-file Raymond.
Nice song and glad it won. But you should ask Rasmus Sandin more, he really likes Eurovision and will tell you more, assures Raymond.
Ahti Oksanen (left) and Rasmus Sandin in a skating competition. In the end, Sandini’s Eurovisa knowledge did not live up to the advertisement. Photo: Kale Koponen / HS
The Washington defender who was next to him was soon freed for an interview. What did he think of the song of victory or the dramatic defeat of Kariya?
– I actually hadn’t heard that song. I’ve never really followed Eurovision and (the Swedish pre-qualifiers) Melodifestivalen, especially in the US and Canada, explained Sandin, also a little embarrassed.
When Sandin heard about Raymond’s advertised “wisdom fan”, he laughed.
– But he is a terrible fool and a childish boy, Sandin admitted.
Sandin believed he knew who Trey Kroner’s knowledge fanatic might actually be, the team’s counterpart to Lions goalie coach Kari Lehton.
Seriously, I think it’s going to be Jonathan Berggren. He is a quiet person who likes to sit on the couch at home on Friday evenings and relax.
Among the Finnish spectators, there were also some Swedish fans in yellow shirts, who finally enjoyed the victory. Photo: Tony Repo/Amulehti
Even though Lorraine’s victory was not familiar, Sandin was still happy about the “double victory”.
– It’s good to show who is the big brother. The game wasn’t the prettiest for us all the time, but we did enough.
The history of games hosted by Finland came as new information for the Capitals defender: Even after Monday, the Lions have never beaten Sweden in their home games.
– In fact?
– It’s always nice to have a quiet home crowd, as is playing against Finland – especially in Finland. It’s always special, Sandin said, and even today the atmosphere was great.
Sandin, 23, was traded from Toronto to Washington in the spring and averaged nearly a point per game in the postseason. In the first prestigious adult tournament of his career, he is still undefeated after three games.
The Swedish game continues in Tampere with two days in between. Tre Kronor will face Hungary in Thursday afternoon’s match.
Joel Armia hook-blocked TopStack’s well-known defender Henrik Toomernes and came to the ice shelf. Like Raymond, Tomarnes stood out in a tough race with a really beautiful finish. Photo: Tony Repo/Amulehti
Mikko Rantanen and Jakob de la Rose gracefully fall to the surface of the ice at the end of their duel. Photo: Tony Repo/Amulehti
