The World Championship in Prague and Ostrava ended with a Swedish bronze, a long-awaited medal after some lean years for the Swedish national team.
The Czech Republic was too strong in the semifinal last year and won with a clear 7–3. At home in Stockholm, the Swedish sights are set higher, but then Tre Kronor must bounce back quickly.
3–5 against Canada in Tuesday evening's group final was a reminder that there are deficiencies to work with.
Jacob Markström let in the first puck just 18 seconds in.
I've let in goals faster. You can't influence it so much when it's happened, but it's clearly not optimal.
His quick analysis of the loss:
They were a bit more efficient. There were a few rebounds. It could just as well have been 3–3 and we would have gotten a "pin" and group win. So it didn't turn out and it's just about recharging the batteries.
"A bit more to give"
He was also self-critical.
I can only speak for myself. I have a bit more to give. I had wished for a bit more from me. We'll talk and go through the match and see what we can work on.
At the same time, nothing is lost.
You can grumble about the match or you can try to build on it. Now we have the Czech Republic first and it's going to be fun. A huge tough match. It's not impossible that we have these (Canada) again further on, but first it's the Czech Republic, says Markström.
Swedish victory on Thursday evening at the Avicii arena and semifinal awaits on Saturday afternoon – and either a match for the World Championship gold or bronze on Sunday.
"It will be perfect"
Leo Carlsson quickly put the loss to Canada behind him and looks forward to Thursday evening.
Cool, just load up for that game. All the teams we could meet were good, it's going to be tight.
National team coach Sam Hallam:
It will be perfect, nice that some of us feel a bit of revenge. I think we have it as a group too after today. Of course, we looked at what happened last year after the tournament and analyzed it. We can take that with us into this match. Then there are very many new players in both teams.
The Czech Republic seemed to be heading for group victory in Herning, but lost 2–1 to 2–5 against the USA in the last match and finished third in the group after Switzerland and the USA.
