Yeah when I was watching that play I was admiring the typical textbook Willander 1 on 1 defense. Competing hard, hounding the puck carrier up the wall and staying right on the man until he's out of the zone or stripped of the puck.
Basically all the elements that make him one of the best defensive prospects in the world.
And they somehow call a penalty on the play..??? Just because they need to make the PPs in OT even? Absolute trash reffing
Exactly.
Once again the referees insist on make idiotic decisions to decide games on nothing physical engagements. The Gibson one was bad but at least a precedent had been set in that game and Canada had played so poorly and undisciplined this tourney that you could accept it.
This one. The Swedes had outplayed Finland handily it was a pretty clean game and then on what looked like textbook stiff defending they decide to inject themselves and it ended Swedens quest for Gold. It's just so unreasonable and wrong on so many levels i just cant wrap my head around it.
On Willander.
Thought he had an excellent game. Started like everyone a little tentative.
Thought the goal at net front was mostly Lindstein not staying with his guy or communicating a switch off.
There was a couple shifts where he made cut backs that would have been problematic at the NHL level which he got away with.
Outside of those specific moments...
Spotless defending. spotless outlet passes and at supporting the offence.
He wasn't activating much but he was also playing his role and when they needed the defense to push a little in the 3rd he started to do more. The quick goal put the reigns on.
That penalty was pathetic. Those refs should be ashamed of ruining all those kids from Sweden's great game with that joke of a decision.
He plays a pro game. Passes are hard and accurate. Skating is NHL positive. Very smart movements and positioning. Tremendous gap control. If he can play like he did this tourney in the NHL he's gonna be a stud. He will have to watch his cut backs because NHLers will close him out if he doesn't do them harder and faster but he looks great in every other aspect minus being a PP savant and rusher