‘I Don’t Think either Team, either Country, Wants to Lose’: Sweden and Finland Lead off 4 Nations Rivalry Day Doubleheader

MONTREAL — Get excited, its rivalry day at the Bell Centre. 

No, the Habs aren’t playing the Bruins or Leafs. We have a 4 Nations doubleheader on the slate.

Before the hockey world gives its undivided attention to Saturday night’s much anticipated meeting between Canada and the Americans, the day begins with a Northern European showdown. 

Finland. 

Sweden.

Two nations whose love for the game rivals even that of the United States and Canada. As does their desire to beat each other.  

“It’s a brotherly kind of love and hate relationship that goes back a long time,” Sweden head coach Sam Hallam said of the rivalry. 

“I don’t think either team, either country, wants to lose,” said Finnish forward Anton Lundell. “If you want to win [against] one opponent, you want to win [against] Sweden for sure. There’s always been that little spark between us.”

Lundell and his Finnish Florida Panthers teammates: Aleksander Barkov, Eetu Luostarinen and Niko Mikkola, will face fellow Panther, Swedish defenseman Gustav Forsling, when the teams take the ice Saturday afternoon.

“It’s huge,” Forsling said ahead of Saturday’s game. “We’ve got a lot of history with the Finns. Growing up we were playing against Finland a lot in the junior teams. It’s going to be a big game.”

Lundell added: “It’s always good games against Sweden. It’s going to be a pretty physical game, (a) hard game, with a lot of pace and a lot of skill. It means a lot to us and every game in this tournament is big for us.”

As for his favorite Sweden-Finland moment, Lundell said there are too many to single out one.

Both sides lost their opening match of the tournament. The Swedes fell just short in overtime to the Canadians, while Finland could only contain an explosive American offense for so long, falling 6-1. 

The best hockey players in the world representing their countries — this tournament has provided excitement not only hockey fans have yearned for, but the players themselves.

“I think this tournament is great for the game of hockey,” Sweden captain Victor Hedman said. “[We’re] super excited to be a part of it and playing against our arch rival.

Canada and the United States have garnered the majority of attention for this tournament — with on-ice star power and off-ice politics leading the way — but there’s plenty to be desired from the Swedes and Finns contest. 

Both teams are filled with stars in their own right. Cup champions, future Hall of Famers, NHL captains. There’s undoubtedly been a buzz within the Bell centre’s media room leading up to the game.

“I think the rivalry comes from obviously the borders being close, and just the history between Sweden and Finland in different kinds of sports,” Sweden captain Victor Hedman said. “It’s exciting for us.”

Finland sits at the bottom of the standings after its regulation loss to the Americans on Thursday. Sweden is third, gaining a point after forcing the Canadians to Wednesday in the tournament opener. 

Puck drop for Sweden-Finland is set for 1 ET at the Bell Centre in Montreal.