Dreams of World Cup gold: "Stumbled on the finish line"

Three Kronor has just had a training session in Leksand's home arena ahead of Thursday's match against the Czech Republic, which starts this week's Karja tournament. Patrik Berglund, with 30 international matches on the track record, enjoys the national team environment.

At the same time, he comes from a first part of the SHL season that surprised him.

- In SHL there has been a lot of driving, driving, driving. Fast play and lots of ice skating. I hadn't expected it at all before the series started, ”says Patrik Berglund.

Prior to the season, Patrik Berglund became the most talked about recruitment when he signed for Djurgården after several years in the NHL. Now he would make SHL debut as a 31-year-old. Therefore, it is interesting when Patrik Berglund evaluates his own efforts in the new league:

- It has been up and down for both me and the team. When it comes to myself, it may be mostly because it was a long time since I played on big ice. It takes time to adapt while SHL holds a high class.

Now Berglund has a focus on national team play and he makes no secret that several missed gold medals with Tre Kronor is a carrot. Previously, he has Olympic silver and World Cup silver and World Cup bronze. But no gold and no champagne shower in the dressing room.

- No, I've had champagne sprayed elsewhere. Of course, it's sad that I stumbled across the finish line several times. I enjoy competing and winning, so I still play. Then there is also a gold with the national team in the back of the head.

It is this source of motivation that now drives him ahead of the comeback in Tre Kronor. He ran really hard on Wednesday training with a focused look.

- Now we had a very good training and went through our game idea, which many of the players are familiar with. At the same time, it is great fun to meet players I have known before and then get to know all the new talented players. It's a good atmosphere and I enjoy this environment, ”says Patrik Berglund and then explains his contribution to the national team this coming weekend:

- I want to be good for the team. Help win matches. How to help with that, we see match for match. If you do your job, then so much else will be good.