Drop the disc in tonight’s game
Toronto. Oliver Ekman – Larson never takes pictures, but in Toronto last night he had to – and he’ll never forget it.
Because it was Börje Salming who launched the puck and like William Nylander, the Småland back-star received a hug from the seriously ill icon.
– There were mixed feelings. I was sad but also very proud to be able to do something like this in front of Börje fans here in Toronto, says “OEL” to Sportbladet.
Borgy Salmings The pre-game honoring ceremony between the Maple Leafs and the Vancouver Canucks at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena last night reached its absolute climax when the Swedish legend unleashed a puck disc into a ceremonial draw – and as it should be, the citizens had to line up. In the central circle:
William Nylander for the home team and Oliver Ekman-Larson for visitors.
And when that moment was over, they both embraced the role model.
– It was hard, you suffer a lot with Porgy and his family. Oliver says when we meet him after the match, it’s hard to describe in words.
– During the drawing itself, there were mixed feelings. I was sad but also very proud that I was able to do something like this in front of the Börje fans here in Toronto. In the video I saw how much he came to town and noticed during the applause how much people loved him.
Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe also took the opportunity to honor Bore by starting all of the Swedish squad’s first substitution of the match – goalkeeper Eric Calgren, defenders Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Lilligreen and three forwards Nylander, Pierre Engvall and Kali Jarnkruk.
“I know how important Salming is to the Swedish players and that he also has a close relationship with many of the Swede players, so it felt like an appropriate gesture,” Keefe says.
Sanden is very grateful to have been able to be a part of this honorable mission.
– She was very special. I had no idea it was planned but they suddenly came up and said “Swedes are only on ice at the first change” and I couldn’t stop smiling, he says.
In the same match, the Canucks took a 2-0 lead after one stint, but in the second the Leafs came out and turned around and eventually won 3-2 – after goals from Pierre Engvall and a assist from Kaley Yarnrock. and William Nylander.
– We won for Porgy, says Sandin.
