Confirmed Unexpected Illness May Explain Elias Pettersson's Struggles for Sweden
Photo credit: USA TODAY Sports
Reports are saying that Team Sweden was dealing with some severe flu issues throughout the 4 Nations Face-Off, despite finishing tied for second place in the group stage, losing out on head-to-head with Canada.
Ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off, many were wondering how Sweden was going to fare with stiff competition like Canada and the United States, especially with Elias Pettersson starting in a top-six role, but they surprised a lot of people.
Team Sweden reportedly dealt with severe flu issues at 4 Nations Face-Off
On Monday night, with the Swedes already eliminated from advancing to the championship game due to Canada's win over Finland earlier in the day, Tre Kronor head coach Sam Hallam made a number of changes to his lineup.
Hallam inserted Rasmus Andersson and Leo Carlsson into the lineup for their debuts with the men's national teams and while Mattias Ekholm and Viktor Arvidsson were supposed to be scratched, they were both kept in because Mika Zibanejad and Rickard Rakell were dealing with an illness going through the dressing room.
"It looks like Leo Carlsson and Rasmus Andersson will make their tournament debuts for Team Sweden. Viktor Arvidsson and Mattias Ekholm look like the healthy scratches."
"Mika Zibanejad and Rickard Rakell are both out due to illness. Team Sweden will roll with 11F and 7D"
Yesterday, one day after Sweden's elimination from the 4 Nations Face-Off, Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects reported that sources informed him that the team wasn't just dealing with a small flu bug, but rather some severe symptoms including feeling weak and dehydration.
"Sources indicate that while the flu has spread around the 4 Nations, Team Sweden wasn't just dealing with a little bug running through their team.
Guys were ravaged. Weak. Dehydrated. Surely impacted their play to a great level." Robinson said on X.
Guys were ravaged. Weak. Dehydrated. Surely impacted their play to a great level." Robinson said on X.
Despite dealing with severe flu issues throughout the tournament, Sweden was very impressive, pulling off a comeback to force overtime against Canada on the opening night (which they ultimately lost), got to OT against rivals Finland and defeated the United States thanks to a strong performance from goaltender Samuel Ersson.
The Swedes have a really strong group and they're certainly going to be in the mix for the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy next February.
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