The somewhat unusual scene unfolded after Finland's reduction in the penalty shot where Sweden eventually took their third straight World Championship win in front of a sold-out Globen (Avicii arena).
The Finnish players became upset with the referees who signaled that they would video review the reduction goal. Forward star Filip Forsberg then intervened to keep the Finns away from the referees.
I saw that Filip was in there and tried to get in and protect him, then everyone turned on me, he recounts in the mixed zone where the media meets the players.
"Just fun"
For a brief moment, there are five opponents in a ring around the Calgary goalie.
Hopefully, the referee gets in and shields one, otherwise, five are quite hard to handle at the same time. There are a lot of emotions, it's always going to be when we meet, he says, but shrugs slightly at the situation.
When you're standing right in the middle of it and people are hugging and grabbing you, it's just fun, he says.
He had nothing to say about Finland's reduction goal being approved.
It's a clear goal. There's an early signal from the referee, but it's a clear goal. Then I don't know if they have a player in the goal crease, I haven't seen the replay, he says.
"Not so dangerous"
Sweden dominated the game massively against Finland in two periods, but when the 2–0 lead was reduced in the final period, it became dramatic.
Finland pulled out the goalie and pressed for an equalizer – but the Swedes held off.
It's good to practice a little five-on-six play too. We have 41 shots and sure, we could have had a 3–0 or 4–0 lead, I don't think it was so dangerous. We controlled the whole game, says Rasmus Andersson whose team won the shot statistics 41–19.
Sweden has won their three first matches in the World Championship and will meet Latvia next on Wednesday evening.
