Peter Forsberg's nagging groin injury got better as the tournament rolled along, and so did Team Sweden.

Poetry in motion for Swedish trio
By Rich Libero | NHL.com
Feb. 26, 2006

TURIN, Italy - This is the artistry of hockey: Peter Forsberg gains the zone and curls in toward the left faceoff circle, leaving a drop pass for Mats Sundin, who drives a few feet forward, uses his peripheral vision, and leaves a drop pass for Nicklas Lidstrom.

"I hit it perfect and got everything on the shot," Lidstrom said. "And I got it where I was aiming too." Right in the gold medal.

Call this play poetry in motion. Call it poetic justice. But for Forsberg, Sundin and Lidstrom, the biological clock tolled in their ears like Big Ben and in the end, the ringing got drowned out by cheering as Lidstrom's goal just 10 seconds into the third period was enough to lead the Swedes over Finland, 3-2, in Sunday's gold-medal game.

"I don't think you'll see us in the next (Olympics)," Lidstrom said. "It was fitting that they assisted on my goal."

Lidstrom, who will turn 36 in April, is the elder statesman of the trio. Sundin just turned 35 and Forsberg is the "youngest" at 33, but age isn't the issue with him; it's mileage. As USA captain Chris Chelios demonstrated, guys in the over-40 category can compete in the Olympics, but these Swedes might just want to take these gold medals and call it a day.

"It's a nice relief," Sundin said. "We have known for some time that we've had a talented enough team to win gold. For us older players playing probably in our last Olympics, it was great to put it all together."

Sweden has now officially atoned for their early quarterfinals exit to Belarus in 2002 while also avenging their early ouster at the hands of Finland in '98.

"To go out against Belarus in the quarterfinals was very disappointing for us and the Swedish people, so to come back and win gold like this is very satisfying," Sundin said.

Forsberg captured the gold medal in 1994. He, along with Kenny and Jorgen Jonsson, are the only members of this year's Sweden squad to make that claim, so most of the members of this team had to deal with past Olympic failures as well as World Championship washouts.

In 2002, the Swedes finished third in the World Championship, offering up disappointment as hosts and favorites. They scored silver in the '03 and '04 versions of the tournament, including blowing a 3-1 lead to Canada in the '04 final.

So, pardon Lidstrom if he ranks this gold medal up there with the honor of all honors: "I would put this up there with three Stanley Cups," Lidstrom said.

After Lidstrom's puck settled into the net and the three embraced on the ice, they talked about hopping a plane and heading to Stockholm. "We said: 'Let's go! We're grabbing a plane. Let's go to Stockholm!' " Forsberg said. "We talked about it last night and said we won't have time to get back to Sweden."

Forsberg wants to savor this moment because age and experience have taught him that these things are fleeting.

"I was much more nervous this time," Forsberg said. "It might be my last chance. Last time I was 21 and I didn't realize how hard it was to get back to an Olympic final."

Mats Sundin and Team Sweden have now officially atoned for their early quarterfinals exit to Belarus in 2002, while also avenging their early ouster at the hands of Finland in '98.

Concoct a tournament with the best players in the world, and getting to that final is even more difficult, as the Swedes have learned.

Forsberg went through quite the ordeal in order to suit up. He missed several Flyers games with a left groin strain and was doubtful heading into the tournament, but after getting checked out and receiving clearance from Philadelphia management, Forsberg headed to Torino taking a wait-and-see attitude.

"It was definitely worth it," Forsberg said.

Forsberg suited up in Sweden's third game against the U.S., but didn't play. The groin got better as the tournament rolled along, and so did Sweden.

Forsberg teamed with Sundin and Fredrik Modin, forming a deadly trio that also cleared room for Daniel Alfredsson's line. Alfredsson finished the tournament in double-digits with 10 points and five goals.

Forsberg's puck-winning and holding abilities wore down their opponents and created more space for Modin and Forsberg. Sundin recorded eight points while Modin and Forsberg had six each.

Sweden also added Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall late to sub in for the injured Mattias Ohlund. Kronwall scored a power play goal in the second period that snapped a 1-1 deadlock. Like Forsberg, Kronwall was overcoming injury, this one a knee injury sustained in training camp.

The Swedes went 6-2 in the tournament, overcoming a 5-0 white-washing at the hands of the Russians and a 3-0 loss against Slovakia that lined them up for a quarterfinal meeting against the Swiss.

In the end, the Swedes enjoyed solid goaltending from Henrik Lundqvist to go with the right blend of youth and, of course, the experience of some of the older players.

"This is my last Olympics and it is an amazing way to go out," Sundin said.