21-year-old Noah Steen is collecting goals and haters in the World Cup.
Noah Steen is the young rooster of World Cup hockey. Stock photo. EPA / AOP
Norway is the biggest surprise of the Ice Hockey World Cup so far.
The country better known for its cross-country skiers bluntly defeated the Czech Republic 4-1 in Friborg on Monday.
Thousands of Czech fans packed into the BCF arena in Friborg were left disappointed.
Norway’s victory was no fluke. In their previous match, Norway beat Sweden 3–2. Before that, the team came close to beating Canada, but the North Americans tied the game without a goaltender and won in overtime.
– I don’t know what to say. This is frustrating. I’m so angry right now, Czech Republic Matěj Blümel said in a low voice in the arena.
Curses flowed
The contrast could not have been much greater when, a couple of meters from Blümel, the rooster of the World Championships, Norway’s Noah Steen recounted the match in Swedish.
– This is so fucking magical! This was damn worth it. Deuce. We played like hell against the Czech Republic and won the shots 27-16 or something like that, Steen explained.
Norway actually won the shooting statistics clearly, but the readings were 27-18.
– Unbelievable. Damn what a performance. Crazy. I’m so fucking proud of you guys.
Norway already celebrated its second big victory in the opening group. EPA / AOP
By annoying to the core
This season, Steen, who played in Örebro in the Swedish premier league, has taken it upon himself to try to get under the opponent’s skin.
He succeeded in that on Monday as well. Already during the match, the Czechs were hot towards the enthusiastic 21-year-old.
The task was to leave the glove in the handshake line, so the linesman directed Steen away from the Czechs.
– I think they were just angry because they lost. It’s only natural, Steen said.
Cockboy admitted that teasing is part of his and Norway’s game.
– We are not the most skilled team in the tournament, so we have to jump on the opponent’s eyes. We have to tire them out and get them to focus on other things. That’s one of my jobs.
According to Steen, the role is natural for him.
– It also makes me a better player. I can catch the mood.
The Norwegians deliberately try to annoy their opponents. PDO
Father figure
In some places, Sweden and the Czech Republic tend to fall into gimmicks. According to Steen, Norway plays a simple game.
– We attack a little more simply. As I said, we are not the most skilled team, so we have to play with a good structure together. It’s our secret that’s not such a big secret.
Norway’s captain, also played in the NHL Andreas Martinsen was happy that the national team is successful led by young players.
– Some of them could be my children, Martinsen grumbled.
Steen has scored five goals in the tournament. Norway’s domestic points exchange is managed by an 18-year-old Tinus Luc Koblarwhich has captured six power points.
– Hopefully, after this, people will go play hockey instead of skiing, Martinsen said.
