Team Sweden shows up late to Olympic opener!

Team Sweden’s Olympic opener didn’t exactly start on time.. at least not from their side. On Wednesday, as Italy was already on the ice and four minutes into warmups, Sweden had yet to make an appearance. According to Michael Russo of the Athletic, with 16 minutes showing on the clock, which is the standard NHL warmup length, the Swedes finally stepped onto the ice, led out by goaltender Filip Gustavsson.

But Olympic warmups run 20 minutes, not 16...

For a few minutes, it was Italy alone under the bright lights, going through drills while Sweden was nowhere to be found. Whether it was a simple timing miscue, a difference in routine, or something more calculated is up for debate.

Sweden entered the matchup as the clear favorite, boasting one of the deepest rosters in the tournament. Italy, meanwhile, is fighting to prove it belongs on this stage. The optics of the late arrival inevitably raised eyebrows, especially in a short tournament where every detail is scrutinized.

Once Gustavsson led his teammates onto the ice, the focus quickly shifted back to hockey. But in an event as tightly choreographed as the Olympics, even a few missing minutes can spark conversation.