Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad opens up about Olympics, why loss to USA ‘stings’
The Milan-Cortina Olympics were both memorable and a bit painful for New York Rangers star Mika Zibanejad. And now back in New York, the veteran forward is clearly still processing all the emotions from his first Olympic experience representing Sweden.
Zibanejad excelled on the biggest international stage. He led Sweden with three goals in five games and was second with six points (6), behind Lucas Raymond of the Detroit Red Wings (eight points; one goal, seven assists).
However, Zibanejad remains shaken by Sweden’s dramatic 2-1 overtime loss to the United States in the quarterfinals.
He, of course, scored Sweden’s final goal of the tournament, a vintage Zibanejad-style one-time blast from the left circle that tied the game against Team USA at 1 with 1:31 left in the third period. But Quinn Hughes scored the game-winning goal in overtime, helping the United States advance and ultimately win the gold medal.
“Tough ending, obviously,” Zibanejad told reporters after taking part in Rangers practice Tuesday. “{I’m] still not really over it. It was really exciting for the people watching, but it still stings.
“Tying it up late and having the chance to win it in overtime, and then going through that, it’s a tough one to swallow.”
Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad ‘proud’ to have represented Sweden at Olympics
Zibanejad returned to New York shortly after Sweden was eliminated from medal contention in Milan. Tuesday was his first day back on the ice with the Rangers, though he missed practice Wednesday due to an illness. The Rangers schedule picks up again Thursday, when they host the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden.
Yet, the Olympics remain fresh in Zibanejad’s mind. The 32-year-old previously represented Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-off, the IIHF World Championship and the World Junior Championship, where he scored the Golden Goal 14 years ago.
But it was different wearing the Tre Kronor sweater in the Olympics.
“I think you can tell the games mean more,” he explained. “You really notice how important every game is.”
Sweden lost a key prelim game against archrival Finland, and that hurt their standing heading into the knockout stage. Zibanejad starred in their qualifier play-off against Latvia, scoring a goal and adding an assist in the 5-1 victory, which set up their quarterfinal match-up against the United States.
“I’m still proud to have the opportunity to play in the Olympics and be an Olympian and represent your country,” Zibanejad said. “It’s been 12 years since NHL players got a chance to do so, so [I’m] definitely not taking anything for granted and [you] never know if it’s the last chance or not.
“The more time that will pass by, I think it’ll be easier to look back at it in a different way.”
Mika Zibanejad ‘happy’ Rangers teammates won gold medal at Olympics
Zibanejad said he ‘s excited for his Rangers teammates J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck, and coach Mike Sullivan, who helped the United States win its first Olympic gold medal since the Miracle on Ice in 1980.
“I’m happy for them. I’m happy they got to experience that joy and how happy they were,” Zibanejad said. “I’m a little jealous not to be there for that, but it makes it easier to lose to them in the quarters and then they go through to the finals and win the whole thing.
“At the same time, you feel like if you win that game [against the USA], you’ve got a shot.”
Zibanejad said he watched the gold-medal game between the United States and Canada on television — along with a reported 20-plus-million people in the U.S.
“It was an unbelievable game and a fun one to watch,” Zibanejad said. “A lot of excitement. A lot of chances and a good advertisement for hockey.”
