TAMMERFORS. Oliver Eckmann-Larson struggled hard to return to the World Cup quarter-finals.
Tre Kronor captain had a tough time during the group stage in Finland.
– It’s been some tough days on the side, says the 30-year-old.
Oliver Ekman Larson He missed the last two group matches against Norway and Latvia due to injury.
– You obviously want to be on the ice, it’s never fun sitting in the bleachers. You’re more nervous there than when you’re on the ice, because you can’t make much of an impact when you’re sitting there. It was a little tricky, says Oliver Ekman-Larson.
On Wednesday, he was on the ice for the first time since retiring in the third inning against the United States.
It was a card three crownsHe trained in 20 minutes and Oliver Ekman Larson went for himself and felt the most.
– It was fun being out there on the ice and it was fun being with the guys again. It was a short training, says Oliver Ekman-Larson, and the plan was to be outside and save energy before the match.
‘They made it possible’
Do you need to play any dorm in any way?
– No comments. I do not want to delve into it too much, the main thing is that I play. I am so happy and grateful to everyone who has spent so much time and given so much therapy in the last days so that I can go out and play for the team.
So it was a lot of work to be able to get ready to play again?
– It’s always a very long season that I come from. There are always some small flaws, not only this week but it’s been all season. You are doing what you can to get the body in the best shape right now. I am so grateful to the medical team that lined up 24/7 for my benefit and made it possible to come back.
National captain Johan Garbenlov and Oliver Eckmann-Larson confirmed themselves after training that there will be matches in the game on Thursday afternoon.
Both also say he wouldn’t have played if he couldn’t give up 100%.
“Do we need to get up?”
In the quarterfinals, Canada awaits, Oliver Ekman-Larson plays every day in the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL.
– It starts now and it applies now. It’s going to be fun, there are always fun matches against Canada. We are very special when the playoffs start. They always have a good team on paper, but we are also a great hockey team with good hockey players who have a lot of fun together. We go out on tour and have a lot of fun together. We have a great chance, beating Finland in Finland is a strong sign of strength as well as against the Czech Republic. We are now required to step up further, says Oliver Ekman-Larson.
How fun are you going back and playing this quarter?
– It’s going to be a lot of fun, it’s been some tough days on the side. I’m very happy to get the chance to play in the World Cup quarter-finals, and not many people get it.
Tre Kronor has regained its captain, one of the biggest stars and one of the most experienced players with, among other things, two World Cup golds and an Olympic silver.
It feels great to have Oliver Ekman-Larson back. We take back our captain and a player who was there before and won the gold medal in the World Cup. We have a leading player on and off the ice,” says Johann Garbenlov.
Tre Kronor – Canada has a dip at 15.20 Swedish time.