Smooth, just like usual
After a rather uneventful and goalless middle period, the guests got off to a festive start to the third period. Outnumbered, Hugo Fransson found Riley Woods, who from close range slotted in the 1-2 reduction when act three was just 90 seconds old – giving the visitors a way into the game.
The Smålänners grew as the period went on, became more and more entrenched in Frölunda’s defense zone and really began to challenge Lars Johansson in the home team’s goal cage – and that it would be even between Frölunda and HV71 is no news to anyone who knows history. Because of the eleven most recent meetings before tonight’s battle, eight had ended with an odd-goal victory for one of the teams – and that would be the case this evening as well.
In a final push with a chosen goalkeeper, HV71 would manage to outwit Johansson a second time with two minutes left in the period to tie the score at 2-2 and force the match into extra time. An overtime that swung wildly and contained a lot of nerve-wracking moments still ended goalless and it was only in the penalty shootout where the extra points would be awarded. Lasse saved two out of three penalties and Jere Innala stepped forward as the big match winner when he dribbled the decision between Lehtinen’s legs and secured two points with the evening’s second goal.
– My spontaneous thought is that we were better than on Tuesday, came into the match in the right way and probably scored at least 30-40 pretty good minutes, commented head coach Robert Ohlsson and elaborated:
– Unfortunately, I don’t really think we play like we are going for the third goal in the third period, we lack a little aggressiveness. Despite that, I still think we should have been able to shut down and leave here today with three points, we should do better. But I’m glad we won in the end, penalty shootout is always the way it is, skill mixed with a bit of luck. We thanked the hockey gods who were on our side today, Robert concluded.
