Mika Zibanejad was lucky enough to suit up for Sweden in the IIHF. The New York Rangers center has found his game in international competition and won a medal for his troubles.![Mika Zibanejad]()
Mika Zibanejad is just one of many Rangers who found themselves playing for their home country during the IIHF World Championships.
Zibanejad and company would defeat their Nordic brothers, Denmark 6-2, as they fell to Sweden's game, the philosophy was: score by committee.
Zibanejad and his brothers would earn a bronze medal in a hard-fought series, with the Rangers forward scoring the final goal to secure the victory.
on and off the ice.
«It was obviously tough, it is a tough reset from yesterday after being so disappointing,» Zibanejad said. «Just the way we played yesterday, it wasn't hard to have a mindset of we have to play better and we owe it to ourselves. I thought we ended in the best way we could with the situation being.»
«It was obviously tough, it is a tough reset from yesterday after being so disappointing,» Zibanejad said. «Just the way we played yesterday, it wasn't hard to have a mindset of we have to play better and we owe it to ourselves. I thought we ended in the best way we could with the situation being.»
He'd end the tournament with a total of 8 points (5 goals, 3 assists) and a +3 and a bronze medal to his name.
But what he came out of the IIHF was the experience that saw him boost his confidence again. While treasuring the fact that he could be converting new hockey fans in Sweden every game.
«It's going to be a memory with me for a lifetime,» Zibanejad said about playing in Stockholm, Sweden for the World Championship. «Even though we didn't win gold, we got the bronze medal. It's a medal and we got to do it in front of our families, our friends, our fans.
«People that might have never watched hockey before, hopefully got some more hockey fans in Sweden from it. It's a memory that I'll bring with me for a very long time.»
«People that might have never watched hockey before, hopefully got some more hockey fans in Sweden from it. It's a memory that I'll bring with me for a very long time.»
The moment is exhilarating, winning in front of your country and your peers. It's an experience he'll get to relive, as Tre Kronor may not have taken home the gold, but he used the time in Stockholm to find himself and grow the game of hockey as well.
There's something to be said for that, as he's placing the game above himself and his own wants and needs, and sounds like this was nothing but love for him all the way down.
With hope, this could influence him to come back to Madison Square Garden and maybe turn around his own game in front of the Rangers faithful.
