Sweden finished the 4 Nations Face-Off without a single regulation loss. The team defeated USA 2-1 in their final game on Monday. Goalie Samuel Ersson made 31 saves, proving his worth before the 2026 Olympics in Milan.
How Did Sweden Perform?
Sweden played three games in the tournament:
- Beat Team USA 2-1
- Lost to Finland in overtime
- Lost to Canada in a shootout
Coach Sam Hallam was satisfied but not fully happy with the team’s performance.
“Three games, no losses in regulation. But still, we’re in third place,” Hallam said. “We like a lot of what we do. We want to be better.”
Who Were Sweden’s Key Players?
- Victor Hedman (Captain, Defense, 34 years old) – Led the team with 25:19 average ice time. He will be Sweden’s top defenseman in Milan 2026.
- Joel Eriksson Ek (Forward, 28 years old) – A strong, reliable center who played 19:44 per game and contributed on both ends of the ice.
- Jesper Bratt (Forward, 26 years old) – Scored the game-winning goal against USA with a sharp shot.
- Adrian Kempe (Forward, 28 years old) – A fast, straight-line player who created scoring chances.
Who Needs to Improve?
- William Nylander (Forward, 28 years old) – Sweden’s best offensive talent but did not dominate games.
- Elias Pettersson (Forward, 26 years old) – Finished with zero points in three games and struggled against the USA.
- Filip Forsberg (Forward, 30 years old) – Needs to find consistency before the Olympics.
Defense Concerns for Sweden
Sweden has experienced but aging defensemen:
- Mattias Ekholm (34 years old) – Played only 15:05 per game and struggled with the tournament’s pace.
- Erik Karlsson (34 years old) – Still skilled but must rely more on positioning than speed.
Sweden’s Olympic defense may need fresh legs to support Hedman.
What’s Next for Sweden?
The 2026 Olympics are Sweden’s next big test. Hedman and other veterans will lead the team, but young players like Leo Carlsson (20 years old) may step up.
“This tournament was a building block,” said Hedman. “Many of these players will be in Milan. We will be ready.”
