Filip Gustavsson Starts for Sweden Against Canada in 4 Nations Face-Off

Montreal, Canada – Filip Gustavsson of the Minnesota Wild has been named the starting goaltender for Sweden in their opening match against Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off, scheduled for Wednesday night, confirmed Tre Kronor head coach Sam Hallam after the team’s morning warm-up.

“Gus is our guy tonight,” Hallam said, expressing confidence in the 26-year-old goaltender. “It’s a great honor. You compete to play for your national team and now you have the 4 Nations against the best players.”

Gustavsson, who has had an impressive season with Minnesota, holds a record of 22 wins, three shutouts, an average of 2.63 goals against, and a save percentage of 91.5.

“I’m just going to enjoy it and do my best,” Gustavsson added. He gained valuable experience by starting seven games during the World Championship earlier this year, which further solidified Hallam’s faith in him for this tournament.

Coach Hallam noted Gustavsson’s consistent performance this season: “We have seen for a while that he’s close to breaking through. Time, confidence, and good people around him have been essential. We are very happy with how he has played and look forward to seeing a confident Gus.”

Linus Ullmark will serve as the backup goalie, having had a challenging season due to injuries, while Samuel Ersson will watch from the stands. Hallam addressed Ullmark’s situation, stating, “He has shown in the past that he wants what’s best for the team. We had a brief chat yesterday regarding the situation, and he took the news very professionally.”

The matchup against Canada will take place at Bell Centre in Montreal. It is the first game of the tournament, which also features teams from the USA and Finland. The game is set to begin at 2:00 AM Swedish time and will be broadcasted on Viaplay.

In anticipation of the intense competition, Hallam expressed his confidence in Gustavsson, highlighting that the goaltending matchup is crucial for Sweden’s success in the tournament. “With Ullmark limited in his play this season following a back injury, we believe Filip will bring the energy we need,” he said.

Jordan Binnington has been confirmed as the starter for Canada, adding to the excitement of the matchup. As the teams prepare for their first clash, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation for what promises to be a thrilling series of games over the next week, featuring some of the best players from Sweden, Canada, USA, and Finland.