2018 IIHF World Championships: Anaheim Ducks Rakell and Lindholm Lead Sweden To Gold
By Ciara Durant
Over the past month, sixteen countries have been competing in the 2018 IIHF World Championships. The Finals came down to a clash between Sweden and Switzerland. In the end, Sweden prevailed and took home the gold.
In a much-anticipated game that came down to a shootout, Sweden earned a 3-2 victory over Switzerland in Sunday’s World Championship finals. There was great joy that came with this victory. Sweden, with two Anaheim Ducks on the roster, had won another gold medal.
Switzerland brought home the silver medal and the United States beat Canada for the bronze.
This year, the Anaheim Ducks had the opportunity to send two of our favorite Swedes to the tournament. Hampus Lindholm and Rickard Rakell may not have been able to raise the Stanley Cup, but they had a big hand in leading Team Sweden to victory.
Team Sweden Overview
The road to gold was tough. However, the Swedish men’s ice hockey team put up one heck of a fight. They won all ten games, including four by shutout.
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Team Sweden was lead on the ice by captain Mikael Backlund of the Calgary Flames. John Klingberg (Dallas) and Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Arizona) both wore the “A” on their jersey.
Overall, the team was first in save percentage as well as power play efficiency. They also ranked third in the penalty kill and shooting percentage.
Sweden came out victorious in the quarterfinals over Latvia, winning by one goal. They shutout the United States in the semifinals, scoring six goals over the course of the game. Finally beating the Swiss to Claim bac-to-back championships.
Rickard Rakell
Team Sweden should thank their lucky stars that the Ducks lost to San Jose in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. If Anaheim was still in it, Rickard Rakell would not have been available. That could have been bad news for Sweden.
Native to Sundbyberg, Sweden, Rakell was one of Team Sweden’s star players this year. In the ten games he played, Rakell scored six goals, had eight helpers, for a total of 14 points.
The young, offensively gifted, 25-year-old forward, lead Team Sweden in goals, assists, and points. He ranked as the fifth-leading goal scorer in the championships. He was also eighth overall in assists. In the run for the gold, Ricky Rak assisted on three game-winning goals.
Hampus Lindholm
Hampus Lindholm was especially excited to play for his country and alongside long-time friend and Anaheim Ducks teammate Rickard Rakell.
"“It’s always special to play for your country and play with your countrymen. Especially now for me to play so close to home, that’s special too.” -Hampus Lindholm, Anaheim Ducks defenseman"
Appearing in all ten games, Lindholm contributed six assists on the way to a gold medal. He also ranked first among defenseman and fifth overall on the team in helpers.
Lindholm had a wonderful performance in his IIHF debut for Sweden. After Sweden’s shootout victory against the Swiss, Hampus led the celebration with teammate Rickard Rakell by making snow angels in the confetti as is rained down on the ice.
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We extend our sincerest congratulations to Rickard Rakell, Hampus Lindholm, and the rest of the Team Sweden. Ducks Nation is only hopeful that the next trophy our Ducks get to lift up is the Stanley Cup.