Ice hockey: The Uorten Leijonien’s goal created a commotion in Sweden – now Tommy Salo roared: “From the bottom”

When Nuoret Leijonat defeated Sweden in the under-20 men’s World Cup semi-final, the goalkeeper became Melker from Thelin19, the scapegoat in the western neighbor.

Thelin has received fierce criticism on social media for the goal he conceded in overtime, which was completed by Suomen Benjamin Rautiainen. The hero of the Young Lions was able to surprise the goalkeeper with a clever shot that came from a rather small angle and flew in from Thelin’s circle.

The goal meant the crushing of Sweden’s championship dreams. The team’s last match was against the Czech Republic in the bronze medal match.

Thelin reportedly received a lot of unpleasant messages on social media after the goal. Swedish goalkeeper legend Tommy Salo53, has been following the conversation and feels sorry for young Thelin.

“The conversation is really low when it comes to a junior goalkeeper,” Salo said of the Hockeysverige website by.

“If you want to criticize, say it directly to your face. I don’t think those behind the keyboards dare to do that.”

Salo points out that Rautiainen’s shot was very difficult to block.

“The goalkeeper doesn’t expect the shot to come from there when the game is three against four. I’m not sure I would have been ready for that myself.”

Salo knows what he’s talking about. He also found himself in the eye of a storm of sorts after the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics when he let a long-range shot go behind him from mid-range. The goal was Belarus’ winning goal in the quarterfinals of the tournament.

“Being a goalkeeper can be tough. There will be criticism of the conceded goal, even if the match ends in victory,” he says.

Thelin prevented Sweden with a goal in three matches of the group stage of the World Cup tournament as well as the follow-up games, except for the bronze medal game.

He led his team to four wins with a save percentage of 88.5.

The Swede plays at the club team level in his home country IF Björklöven. He is a fifth-round pick of the Arizona Coyotes for the summer of 2023.