Sweden Dominates Latvia, Sets Sights on USA in Olympic Quarterfinal
Lucas Raymond bounced back emphatically from a late-game penalty in the previous match against Slovakia, a penalty that cost Sweden the top spot in their group and a direct path to the quarterfinals. In the Round of 16 matchup against Latvia, Raymond was a key contributor as Sweden secured a decisive 5-1 victory.
Raymond Leads the Charge
Raymond registered three assists in the game, demonstrating his offensive prowess. “A good match. We got rewarded offensively and we played for all 60 minutes. Now we just need to recharge for tomorrow,” Raymond summarized after the win.
Sweden’s five goals came from five different players across three different lines, highlighting the team’s depth. The line featuring Raymond, alongside captain Gabriel Landeskog and center Mika Zibanejad, combined for seven points – Zibanejad and Landeskog each scored and assisted on a goal, while Raymond tallied three assists.
Team Effort Fuels Victory
Beyond Raymond’s line, Adrian Kempe, Filip Forsberg, and William Nylander also found the back of the net. Landeskog emphasized the importance of contributions from all players. “It’s important. Everyone needs to contribute, not necessarily on the scoresheet, but I thought everyone did a good job tonight playing hard, making those little details. Look at our fourth line, for example. There were times when we lost momentum, but they did a good job coming back behind them and getting their forecheck going, and then everything turned around.”
Filip Forsberg’s goal, set up by a precise pass from Erik Karlsson, showcased the team’s offensive capabilities. “I’ve seen Erik craft those passes time and time again, so it was just a matter of staying in front when the pass came. It’s great (with five goalscorers). That’s how the team is built; there’s a lot of firepower in every line. These guys are used to playing long minutes in their clubs, but here there’s competition for ice time. It’s really fun to play,” Forsberg stated.
Raymond’s Rising Star Status
With three assists, Lucas Raymond is now second in the overall Olympic scoring race, trailing only Connor McDavid of Canada, who has nine points (2+7) in three games. Raymond has eight points (1+7) in four games.
Quarterfinal Clash with USA Awaits
Sweden now faces a challenging quarterfinal matchup against the United States. “We’re here to play those kinds of games,” Raymond said. “We’ve found our game more and more with each match, we’ve taken steps all the time. Now we need to continue against the USA; come out quickly and hard, and it will go well. Both Mika and ‘Gabbe’ are skilled players, a little different in their playing style. But we’ve made it function… it’s fun to play with them and hopefully we’ll continue like this.”
Landeskog echoed Raymond’s sentiment, adding, “We did a good job. The first period was stable and we created some breakaways that we could exploit. It felt pretty stable when we came out of our zone. And also defensively; we kept them on the outside and ‘Marky’ (Jacob Markström) made some good saves.”
He continued, “They pressed a bit in the second period, but we were able to ride the wave and found a way to win an important game, and that without discussion. And the quarterfinal… that’s what you expect when you come to a tournament like this. That’s when the fun begins. At the same time, you should never look too far ahead; you have to be where your feet are. Right now, it’s important for us to gather ourselves after this match and seize advantage of what we did well, but also be prepared for the opposition to go up another level tomorrow.”
The quarterfinal between Sweden and the USA will be played in Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Wednesday evening, with puck drop at 9:10 PM (SVT 1, SVT Play).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who scored for Sweden in the game against Latvia?
A: Elias Pettersson (2 goals), Joel Eriksson Ek, Adrian Kempe, and Lucas Raymond scored for Sweden.
Q: What is Lucas Raymond’s current position in the Olympic scoring race?
A: Lucas Raymond is currently second in the Olympic scoring race with eight points.
Q: When and where will the quarterfinal match between Sweden and the USA take place?
A: The quarterfinal will be played on Wednesday evening at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, with puck drop at 9:10 PM.
Did you know? Sweden’s victory over Latvia marked the fifth different player to score for Tre Kronor in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the line of Raymond, Landeskog, and Zibanejad – they are proving to be a potent offensive force for Sweden.
What are your predictions for the Sweden vs. USA quarterfinal? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
