Frölunda HC Loss: Örnsköldsvik Recap

Things start to tighten up in the SDHL and in the fifth last game of the regular season, Frölunda was put away against Modo. Before Sunday’s match, Frölunda came from a prestigious away victory against Brynäs, while in their last match Modo had suffered a heavy blow with 2-5 at home against HV71.

Just like last Friday against Brynäs, Frölunda started the match tentatively. Already 30 seconds in, the opponents were invited to a dangerous situation when Frölunda lost the puck in the slot, but Maja Helge saved. After that, Modo had the upper hand for a long time and spent a lot of time in the offensive zone. Frölunda threatened at times through some quick attacks, but had desperately struggled to set up any established attacking play. At the same time, Frölunda mostly had a good grasp of his opponents.

It was a game between two teams that like fast and intense hockey, and with five minutes left in the period, it escalated further with a game that wavered back and forth. It benefited Frölunda the most, who were able to get into the match properly. Tuva Kandell, who scored the first goal of the season against Brynäs last time, had a hard shot on the crossbar. With just over a minute left in the period, the lead goal came for Frölunda. Melissa Jefferies showed her composure when, with a fine break, she tricked away the shooting cover and sent the puck in via the far post. The assist was just as nice, a wide side in soccer style from Nellie Svensson.

The speed alone also made it 2-0 for Frölunda just 40 seconds after the lead goal. Elisa Holopainen dribbled into a free position, but at the last second a Modo defender managed to lift the Finn’s stick. Instead, Holopainen continued behind the goal and put the puck in front of the box where Jenna Goodwin appeared and sent in 2-0. Maybe not fair given how the entire period looked, but when Frölunda played well, they were efficient and could go to the halftime break with a two-goal lead.