Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Henrik Lundqvist Almost Missed Team Sweden's Final Game
When Three Crowns started the World Cup, it was still unclear if Henrik Lundqvist would join.But finally the "king" came in - with a view to World Cup gold.
But before the evening's final there was a big question about the goalkeeper's status.
In the final stages of the semi-finals against Finland, Lundqvist stood for an acrobatic rescue - but at the long side shift, where Lundqvist slipped down, he seemed to be ill in the groin.
After the match, he laughed badly when the team stood up at the blue line to listen to the Swedish national anthem.
But with just hours left to puck drop, the dream came true: Henrik Lundqvist would play.
And in the final, the New York Rangers goalkeeper became a big gold hero for Tre Kronor. After the match, he revealed the drama before the final.
"It felt no further yesterday, but we should see how it felt in the morning. I had a small injury on my knee. I did not think I could play around lunch, it did not feel good at that time. But I received acupuncture and treatments. We tested with a syringe that made the pain disappear, says "Henke".
"So it's clear that I've been a little worried, you've got the chance to play the World Cup finals, so you do not want to miss because of an injury," he says.
Despite the spray, the goalkeeper believes that after all, the pains came back during the final match.
"It came after half the match, but you do not know in a World Cup final. You just try to think about the next shot, he says.
http://www.expressen.se/sport/hockey/tre-kronor/guldhjalten-henrik-lundqvist-hyllas-efter-segern-i-vm-finalen/
http://www.expressen.se/sport/hockey/tre-kronor/hemliga-spelet-bakom-tre-kronors-vm-guld/
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
More Pictures of Henrik Lundqvist Celebrating his IIHF Championship Win
He came, he saw and he won. Henrik Lundqvist joined the World Cup in Cologne to win World Cup gold with the twin brother Joel. Tonight it was clear they succeeded.
"I had a few tears when I stood out with the brother. This was what I dreamed of when I was a little, "Henke" says to hockeysverige.se.
After the Rangers goalkeeper left the Stanley Cup playoffs, he soon realized that it gave an opportunity to win the World Cup gold with the brother.
"You know when you're out there, you're in NHL and playoffs. It's hard sometimes to find energy, but soon I began to realize what was at stake and get this opportunity to come here.
"It has been amazing ten days for me. To be with my brother, now, the group who work together. It has been a lot of fun.
Everything went according to plan, into every smallest detail. It was a successful return for the brothers. Together they had to lift the World Cup.
- I am so happy. I am so grateful that I got this. This opportunity to come here and be with my brother, that was awesome. It was a nice moment I had on the ice. Just stand there with my brother and realize we did this together.
Although "Henke" has won Olympic gold earlier, there was a noticeably touched goalkeeper responding to the questions from the media.
"I had a few tears when I stood out with my brother. This is what I wanted, this was what I dreamed of when I left New York ten days ago.
- This was what I dreamed about when I was little. Clearly I want a World Cup gold.
Now the star goalkeeper can add another trophy to the collection.
"It has never felt good when you feel that you have Olympic gold and SM gold, but never any World Cup gold.
"I put pressure on myself to help this team and win. So it feels good that I contributed.
"THIS IS A DREAM"
Brorsan Joel can now proudly win three World Cup gold. A fantastic facit.
- It's a dream indeed. To win and to make it together with my brother, of course. It's an extra dimension indeed.
In the dramatic final against Canada, it was just "Henke" who became one of the gold heroes of Tre Kronor.
"He came here because he would take those puckers as we need," Joel laughs.
"But just getting a World Cup gold together with this gang. It is fantastic.
"Everyone has been involved in this gold and then of course we will season it with some extra star players.
How proud are you to be the team captain of this group?
- Yes, what should you say? When I got a C, it's clear that I grew a few centimeters, Joel admits.
- I can not say anything else, it was incredibly honorable. You are happy and proud to represent Three Crowns. And then get a C, that's amazing.
Henrik Lundqvist puts additional words on the love of his twin brother.
- Not just winning, not just the matches, but I've been spending time with him here. It has been great for both, we do not get much time together.
http://www.hockeysverige.se/2017/05/22/jag-fick-nagra-tarar-nar-jag-stod-dar-ute-med-brorsan/
New Interview With Henrik Lundqvist's Mom
On Sunday, the twins Henrik and Joel Lundqvist had for the first time ever won a World Cup gold together. Something that pleases mom Eva Lundqvist.
"We only feel happiness. It's great that they finally got to do this together, "says Eva to P4 Halland.
- It was magical. It has always been a dream of winning something big together. They have won both Olympic Gold and World Cup Gold, but on their own, they have never played together. It has not been quite timid and so, but this time they got it.
Eva says that both her and their father, Peter, follow their sons' careers closely.
- We follow everything. Peter looks well all the matches. Henriks matches the nights and Joels on the days, says Eva and laughs.
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/gruppsida.aspx?programid=2688&grupp=12254&artikel=6701608
Monday, May 22, 2017
Henrik Lundqvist Wins Gold at the IIHF World Champsionship; See Pictures & Video Interviews
COLOGNE, Germany -- Henrik Lundqvist is golden once again.
The New York Rangers goaltender made 42 saves and stopped all four shootout attempts in Sweden's 2-1 win against Canada in the gold medal game of the 2017 IIHF World Championship at Lanxess Arena on Sunday.
He did so with twin brother Joel Lundqvist, a forward with Sweden, as his captain.
Henrik Lundqvist joined Sweden after the Rangers lost to the Ottawa Senators in six games in the Eastern Conference Second Round.
"It's a great feeling," he said with trophy in hand, gold medal draped around his neck and golden confetti still stuck to his pads. "When I left New York, I was very disappointed the way it ended there. I also saw this as a big opportunity for me to come and play for my country and play with my brother.
"I don't know how many more chances I'll get. This was the goal, the dream. I pictured this. We had the team for it. I put a lot of pressure on myself to come here and help the team to do it."
It's the first time Lundqvist has won gold with Sweden since the 2006 Turin Olympics, and his first time playing in the World Championship since 2008.
"It's extra emotional, for sure," said Joel Lundqvist, who has spent the past eight seasons with Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League. "A win is a win, a gold medal, but to do it here with Henrik … we grew up watching Team Sweden play, and to win a gold medal together is a dream come true for sure. I know Henrik when he lost over in New York he was disappointed, but I told him right away we had a great group here and to come, 'we want you and we need you.' He played his best hockey. We needed it. It's awesome. To be here today winning a gold medal together, it's an amazing feeling. It's a dream come true, for sure."
The addition of Henrik Lundqvist to Sweden's roster was a very welcomed addition, according to his teammates.
"My god, it's so hard to describe," Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog said. "He's the backbone of this team. Him and Joel, their parents must be pretty proud. Henrik is just so calm back there. It spreads through our whole team and whole lineup as far as how we play and how we act in the dressing room and things like that. He's the backbone of this team, for sure."
Canada entered the gold medal game as the two-time defending championship after winning in 2015 and 2016. Sweden hadn't won the tournament since 2013.
Lundqvist helped changed that.
He allowed one goal through regulation and overtime, and denied Nathan MacKinnon, Brayden Point, Ryan O'Reilly and Mitch Marner in the shootout.
His final save, which was against Marner, clinched gold.
"You try to stay in the moment," he said. "That's the key. Don't get ahead of yourself, even when you start scoring and you can just feel we're getting closer and closer, don't get ahead of yourself. Stay in the moment and focus on the next shot. When it was over, it was just an amazing feeling.
"Obviously to pull it off the way we did is a great feeling."
It also guaranteed an emotional embrace at the blue line between brothers, together as World Champions.
"It was just a pretty emotional moment, I think for Joel as well," said Henrik, who finished the tournament undefeated in four starts and with a 1.31 goals against average and .946 save percentage. "To do this together … we've been on separate ways here the past 12 years, but growing up we were always on the same team spending every day together. To come here and play for your country and pull this off, it's one of the best feelings.
"I'm super proud and grateful."
https://www.nhl.com/news/henrik-lundqvist-wins-gold-medal-with-sweden-at-worlds/c-289553426
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Henrik Lundqvist Played a Prank on Joel After Landing in Germany
Henrik Lundqvist has landed in Cologne. He and Oscar Lindberg brought an early morning flight through Munich and landed at the German side on the 9th floor.
Henrik went straight to the hotel and ate a quick breakfast before he surprised the brother Joel Lundqvist
"I lay and watched the series in the room, then there was a knock on the door and it was so called room service," says Joel
-Haha, you're crying, NOW, laughs Henrik
"Yes, it was a tension and I did not want anything," Joel continues.
-Haha, thought you recognized my voice. I distorted it a bit in isolation. Run a little higher pitch, says Henrik
However, the brothers do not share rooms during the World Cup.
"It's always nice to have your own room, he does not have to be with you when you face-time with your family," Joel laughs.
http://bloggar.aftonbladet.se/trekronorinside/2017/05/han-korde-room-service-tricket/
Also,
Henrik & Joel talk about what they would be if they weren't professional hockey players:
Henrik Lundqvist - "It was just sport when I grew up. Would love to think I was good at soccer but I do not think I was. Had to try out in sports. After that, it would probably have been somewhere in the music industry, I hope. I like music."
Joel Lundqvist - "Baker, baked a lot when I was younger. Mom's grandfather was a baker. He was also called Joel."
http://bloggar.aftonbladet.se/trekronorinside/2017/05/465/
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Watch a Video of Henrik Lundqvist & Oscar Lindberg Arriving in Germany
COLOGNE. Now he is in place - Henrik Lundqvist has landed in Cologne.
Together with his teammate from the New York Rangers, Oscar Lindberg, he landed in the German World Cup last Saturday.
"I became more and more crazy the longer the hours went after we left the Stanley Cup. And I miss a World Cup Gold, "said Lundqvist to SportExpressen when it became clear with the World Cup team for the Rangers goalkeeper.
The fact that Brother Joel's presence in the team recorded, there is no doubt.
Lundqvist holds a press conference at 14.00
"It's probably not going to be an Olympics next year, so it's important to take care of the remaining chances. In addition, Brother Joel is the team captain of the World Cup and we have not played together for many years. Then, of course, I want to have that World Cup Gold in the collection and, as I see it, this is a team that has the chance to go all the way, Henke explained.
After three crowns training at lunchtime, a press conference will be held with Henrik Lundqvist at. 14.00 today.
The idea is that Lundqvist - and Lindberg - will play tomorrow's match against Denmark.
Three Crowns last puzzle piece in the World Cup squad, Nicklas Bäckström, arrives at Cologne tomorrow.
http://www.expressen.se/sport/hockey/tre-kronor/lundqvist-har-landat-i-koln/
Friday, May 12, 2017
Henrik Lundqvist Will Wear Number 35 at the World Championship
COLOGNE. Henrik Lundqvist is strongly associated with the jersey number 30.
But now he can switch back to 35 in the World Cup, which he had in Frölunda once in a while.
Viktor Fasth has already numbered number 30.
On Saturday, Henrik Lundqvist arrives at the World Cup in Cologne to play his maybe last championship with Tre Kronor.
The goalkeeper stares at 09.20 in Cologne and trains the team after lunch in Cologne's Haies facility next to the Lanxess Arena.
Much will be like Lundqvist in Cologne.
His drive on the exercises, the anger when he drops a goal and the huge interest around him as a player and person.
But one thing is new, his jersey number. Lundqvist has played with 30 on the back in the last two Olympic Games and at the World Cup in Toronto this fall. But in this year's championship Viktor Fasth has already used "Henkes" regular numbers.
- Three Crowns have already used 30 on their roster. But they can put in a proposal for the IIHF to change numbers, but it has not been done so far, says IIHF Communications Manager Adam Steiss.
It made three kronor when Peter Forsberg arrived late for a World Cup and 21 was taken by Jörgen Jönsson.Jönsson switched to 72 and Foppa got back his brand number.
Joel Lundqvist has noted that the brother is wearing his old jersey number.
But points out he is used to 35 also, even when Three Crowns won the Olympic Gold 2006.
- He had it in Frölunda. Then he did not get it in Rangers because it was Mike Richter's number. 35 will work well for him, "said Joel Lundqvist earlier on Brother's arrival to the World Cup.
http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/hockey/a/zp309/henke-tvingas-byta-nummer
Henrik Lundqvist to Join Team Sweden for the World Championship; Will Play on Sunday
GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist will play for Sweden at the 2017 IIHF World Championship. Lundqvist said he will leave Friday and join the team in Cologne, Germany.
His twin brother, forward Joel Lundqvist, is Sweden's captain.
The Rangers were eliminated from the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 4-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Second Round at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.
"I haven't played with [Joel] in 12 years," Lundqvist said Thursday. "I see this as an opportunity to play for my country one more time and with my brother. So I'm going to go there and I'm going to try to finish really strong this season."
Lundqvist said he made the decision Wednesday to go to the World Championship. His first game is expected to be Sunday, when Sweden plays a Group A preliminary round game against Denmark.
This is the first time Lundqvist will play in the World Championship since 2008. He played for Sweden in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, the 2014 Sochi Olympics and the World Cup of Hockey 2016.
"There's a lot of gas left in the tank here," Lundqvist said. "I was hoping to play [in the Stanley Cup Playoffs] for another month. That was our goal and my mindset. It was very disappointing obviously to end the season like we did, but you have to accept … it's over here. The last two days I've been just thinking about what I could have done differently, what I could have done better. I probably won't have all the answers until a few weeks. I'm going to continue to think about this. But right now, after spending so much time the last two days to think about it, I made the decision to go play for Team Sweden with my brother and analyze a little bit more after that."
Sweden, which played Latvia later Friday, has a regulation win against Germany, a shootout loss to Russia and a regulation loss to the United States.
Three Crowns receive further NHL reinforcement in the World Cup. Goalkeeper Henrik Lundqvist is ready. It confirms New York Rangers on their Twitter account.
"When it does not seem to be the Olympics, it may be the last chance to play with the national team," says Lundqvist to SVT Sport.
Henke has never melted out of the Stanley Cup who went to six matches quarter to champion Ottawa. He is coming to the World Cup.
- It felt right on every level. It really attracted me. Even though you get to know the disappointment with Rangers, this feels like a very fun opportunity. The decision grew quickly.
- Several factors were recorded. The brother is with. I have not played with him for twelve years. There was much that attracted. The big question for me was if I could not reload. But I'm getting more and more crazy for every hour, "said Lundqvist to SVT Sport.
Are you healthy - no blemishes?
- The body feels good. There have been many years when goals have been set, as there has been a lot of problems. Hips and knees. Being physically familiar with me has also been a contributing factor.
World Cup preparations have already started for 35-year-olds.
- It is necessary that you are ready. I will go on ice here tomorrow and work on my own. The plan is to connect on Saturday. Physically, it feels good, and mentally you start to set up new matches for the weekend.
He steps into the hot air directly.
"I was talking to Grønborg, and the plan is that I'm on Sunday.
Three crowns are set against Denmark in the sixth group game of seven.
World Cup tournament can be Henrik Lundqvist's last appearance in Three Crowns.
- You never know what's going on in the future. In recent years, we have gone a long way in the playoff, and it has been difficult to connect. If you have gone out early, you have been injured. I see this as a wonderful opportunity to join the World Cup again and try to win. Then I hope to be on a high level in the next few years.
The first World Cup tournament for the Lundqvist brothers together
The World Cup in Cologne will be the first to be played by Henrik and Joel Lundqvist. The twin brothers have not played another major national team tournament together.
"It is a factor clearly. We grew up together and played hockey together. Twelve years ago we went separate ways. I ended up here. He has been to Dallas, and in Frölunda for many years now. It was a while since we played together. It feels great fun, and inspiring to play in the same team again.
World Cup captain Joel has made his attempt at overcoming New York Rangers goalkeeper king.
"Of course, I'm going to say we're having a great time here," Joel said earlier to SVT Sport.
The team - what do you think it's enough?
"The goal is obviously to win. Many look strong to judge by the highlights I've seen. Then there is very little that makes some matches. Right decision at the right time, which will be crucial in many matches.
SVT Sports expert Mikael Renberg believes Sweden can go a lot better with Lundqvist in the target.
"We go from a medal chance to the chance to win World Cup gold. A giant boost. He is of the caliber World Cup gold. It's just watching historically. Once we have won the World Cup we have had very good goalkeepers.
https://www.svt.se/sport/ishockey/uppgifter-henrik-lundqvist-till-vm/
https://www.nhl.com/news/henrik-lundqvist-will-play-world-championship-for-sweden/c-289394304?tid=280550118
