MONTREAL — Sam Hallam has a knack for igniting passionate discussions among Finnish hockey enthusiasts when he mentions Swedish legends, particularly Anders “Masken” Carlsson for the older crowd and Mats Sundin for the younger fans. Conversely, the mention of Saku Koivu tends to evoke similar sentiments among Swedish hockey followers. This rivalry, deeply rooted between the neighboring Nordic nations across a body of water, is one that has endured through multiple generations, from the Olympics to world championships, and now, the 4 Nations Face-Off.
“This rivalry is like a sibling relationship filled with love and animosity that’s existed for a long time,” expressed Hallam, the coach of the Swedish team competing in the NHL-organized event. “You want to outdo your brother; that is just the nature of it. We hold immense respect for their style of play and their character, both on and off the ice. They have a strong presence on the map and are unwavering in the face of challenges.”
Despite this mutual respect, the debate over who takes on the role of the “big brother” continues. “If you ask them, they’ll claim to be the older brother, while we certainly feel the same way,” noted Victor Hedman, the captain of the Swedish team. Echoing this sentiment, Finland’s Erik Haula commented, “I caught Hedman saying they’re the big brother, but I guess we’ll find out who really is.”
Gustav Nyquist reminded everyone that this rivalry runs deep, tracing back to the formation of both Sweden and Finland. The intertwined histories of these nations are far more intricate than the relationship shared by the United States and Canada, who have been allies outside of sport. Nowadays, peace prevails—except for when the teams clash on the ice.
“It feels more personal,” said Esa Lindell, a defender for Finland. “Given the intensity of our past matchups, particularly the close contests, this rivalry escalates in tension simply because they are our neighboring country.”
Over the years, both teams have had their share of heated confrontations, but the pinnacle of competition came during the gold-medal game at the 2006 Olympics, where Sweden triumphed over Finland with a nail-biting score of 3-2. A crucial goal by Nicklas Lidstrom early in the final period, along with a critical save by Henrik Lundqvist against Olli Jokinen in the dying moments, made that match unforgettable.
Samuel Ersson, a goaltender from Sweden, reminisced about that exhilarating encounter, saying, “When we face off, the entire nation seems to hold its breath in anticipation; everyone wants to watch those matches.”
Hallam believes that the intensity of their rivalry is rooted in the fact that by the time they reach the age of 20, both Swedes and Finns have likely squared off against each other around 20 to 25 times. Sweden’s Elias Lindholm vividly recalls the sting of losing to Finland in the 2014 World Junior Championship final. Nonetheless, he embraces the notion that while competitive tension simmers on the ice, camaraderie resumes off it.
“When you encounter Finns, there’s a significant level of respect,” Lindholm stated. “However, when we square off, there’s always an extra layer of intensity. You compete fiercely, but when the game concludes, it’s perfectly acceptable to grab a drink and enjoy each other’s company. But during the match, that camaraderie takes a backseat.”
The 4 Nations Face-Off serves as a distinctive event, lacking the deep-rooted legacies typical of the Olympics, yet it symbolizes the return of high-level competition featuring the best athletes from the NHL. With the Olympics in Milan just around the corner, this tournament serves as a crucial opportunity to assert national superiority ahead of the major upcoming challenge.
Finland, the reigning Olympic champion, has seen its recent successes level the playing field against Sweden, a fact acknowledged by Hedman. “I don’t think they’ve completely dominated us,” Lindell remarked. “Lately, we’ve been performing well in our matchups against them.”
Now, with Saturday’s game on the horizon, both teams have a chance to add a fresh chapter to their enduring rivalry. “This matchup carries historical significance,” said Rasmus Dahlin, a defender for Sweden. “It holds great importance for the Swedish nation, and it’s one of those games you absolutely need to win.”
