Sweden's Heartbreak at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics
In a dramatic showdown at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, Team Sweden, packed with NHL talent, faced a tough exit at the hands of Team USA. Despite being favorites, Sweden's journey ended in a nail-biting overtime, with Quinn Hughes sealing the 2-1 victory for the Americans. Gabriel Landeskog, the seasoned Colorado Avalanche star, was visibly moved by the outcome.
Landeskog Reflects on Sweden's Olympic Journey
Sweden's ambitions were clear: contend for the gold, ideally against Team Canada. But when Hughes' decisive goal hit the net, it marked the end of Sweden's medal hopes. Landeskog, reflecting on the game, shared his raw emotions, acknowledging the heartache and the need to process the loss.
"I’ve talked all along about staying present, being right here, right now, and I’m not going to run away from the bitterness and heartache of this," Landeskog expressed. "It felt like we were in control.
It felt like we were going to tie it up, just a matter of time. Eventually we do.
Then having been on the gas the majority of the third period, it felt like we had the momentum, but also knowing that it’s 3-on-3, can go either way. It didn’t go our way, it’s as simple as that."
Landeskog's Olympic Effort
Throughout the tournament, Landeskog was pivotal in keeping Sweden competitive, contributing two goals and two assists. Although his Olympic run has ended, his focus now shifts back to the NHL and the pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
Before returning to Colorado, Landeskog intends to take time to reflect on the loss to Team USA. The absence of Victor Hedman, due to injury, added to the disappointment. Landeskog had hoped for a memorable Olympic experience for Hedman, knowing it would likely be his only chance to compete on this stage.
“Talk about a heartbreaker. We knew there was no place he’d rather be than on the ice competing with us," Landeskog said.
"Forced to have to sit out, yeah, I was hurting for him. I really was and I still am.
I know how long he’d been working toward this and looking forward to this. Yeah, that stinks.”
The Emotional Toll of Olympic Dreams
The pain of falling short on the international stage often lingers longer than any professional setback. For Landeskog and Team Sweden, the effort and heart they poured into their Olympic campaign were undeniable, even if the results didn’t align with their dreams. As they look ahead, the lessons learned and the memories made will undoubtedly shape their future endeavors.