The Swedish women's soccer team is in Columbus to meet the United States this week in the last international match of the year. As a recharge, the entire team, which took the World Cup bronze this summer, took the opportunity to go to NHL ice hockey and see Columbus receive Vegas on Tuesday night (night to Wednesday, Swedish time).

Studs here and there

The crowd cheered as the Swedish squad showed up on the jumbotron to the tones of Abbas' "Take a chance on Me", but the Columbus fans otherwise have not much to cheer for at the moment. The home team lost by 1-2, fifth straight loss in the series and the team is still stuck in the bottom of the NHL.

- In the four previous matches we have not reached the level at all, but today we could have won by 2-3 or 2-1. It's a bounce here and there and so they score goals. It's sour, says Columbus Emil Bemström after the game.

One of the causes of the loss this time was another Swedish. William Karlsson, who scored 43 goals during Vegas' brilliant first year in the league (2017-18), has not got a goal scorer this year, but the better the process is. Karlsson played to both Vegas goals against Columbus - chain mate Reilly Smith became a two-goal shooter - and is now up 12 assists and 16 points in 16 games this season.

- Of course, it is difficult to score 43 goals again. Last year was a bit more upside down, but I think I've got a pretty good start this year. It feels nice, self-confidence is there and my chain mates are playing well. And I have scored four goals this year anyway, I am not at zero and it feels good. But it is nice to contribute by making assistance instead, says William Karlsson.

Waiting for the first goal

Vegas is among the top teams in the Western Conference and Karlsson has great faith in the team that surprisingly made it to the Stanley Cup Final two seasons ago.

- I think we have a great team and we should definitely go to the playoffs. And once we are there we will be involved and challenge.

Columbus's three Swedes - Gustav Nyquist, Alexander Wennberg and Emil Bemström - were all scoreless off the ice. The latter, after 15 NHL matches, is still waiting for his first career goal in the North American league.

- It is sour with cod, but otherwise it was totally okay. You may not have the best self-confidence right now, but I do create situations that I might have done something about, says Emil Bemström.