Two big game sevens!
For the first time in Swedish hockey history (apparently) there will be two game sevens to decide the Semi-finals. Last night HV-71 got spanked by Färjestad 6 - 1 and Frölunda convincingly beat Linköping at home to force a game seven.
The HV-71 game was remarkable in that within the first few minutes HV was already down 2 zip. The goals were pretty soft, one was just a soft lob from the right wing that the goalie, Stefan Liv misplayed. His goaltending was so bad that he apologized live on TV before the game was over. He is an agressive competitor so that must have tasted bitter, but he is a very good goalie, world-class in fact, and he will bounce back. What HV needs is their sharpshooter to score some goals. People like gold medal winner Mika Hannula need to drive the scoring and get Andreas Karlsson and company involved.
Frölunda showed Linköping how a champion plays. They showed courage and tenacity after being down 3 - 1 in games and coming back to even the series. The next game is in Gothenburg where the house will be rocking for Frölunda. Tommy Salo deserves much of the credit for getting Frölunda here. In a league full of very good goaltenders, Salo has been the standout of the Semi-finals. He has made some extraordinary saves and been a rock of stability for Frölunda as they regained their ability to score. Linköping has been disciplined and puts serious pressure on the puck, they have scorers and an irresistible force in Shane Willis. Willis has brought some North American attitude to the Swedish playoffs and has been the difference in most of Linköpings wins. But Salo has stood up to the challenge and played brilliantly. He is one of the great Swedish hockey players of our time and perhaps all time.
Another former North American player made a difference last night - Jason Krog. He whipped off a deadly accurate wrister past Finnish goalie Norrena to put Frölunda up 4 - 1. Krog has nearly a point a game during his time here in Sweden after coming over from Switzerland and whatever happens the rest of the year I hope he stays.
The HV-71 game was remarkable in that within the first few minutes HV was already down 2 zip. The goals were pretty soft, one was just a soft lob from the right wing that the goalie, Stefan Liv misplayed. His goaltending was so bad that he apologized live on TV before the game was over. He is an agressive competitor so that must have tasted bitter, but he is a very good goalie, world-class in fact, and he will bounce back. What HV needs is their sharpshooter to score some goals. People like gold medal winner Mika Hannula need to drive the scoring and get Andreas Karlsson and company involved.
Frölunda showed Linköping how a champion plays. They showed courage and tenacity after being down 3 - 1 in games and coming back to even the series. The next game is in Gothenburg where the house will be rocking for Frölunda. Tommy Salo deserves much of the credit for getting Frölunda here. In a league full of very good goaltenders, Salo has been the standout of the Semi-finals. He has made some extraordinary saves and been a rock of stability for Frölunda as they regained their ability to score. Linköping has been disciplined and puts serious pressure on the puck, they have scorers and an irresistible force in Shane Willis. Willis has brought some North American attitude to the Swedish playoffs and has been the difference in most of Linköpings wins. But Salo has stood up to the challenge and played brilliantly. He is one of the great Swedish hockey players of our time and perhaps all time.
Another former North American player made a difference last night - Jason Krog. He whipped off a deadly accurate wrister past Finnish goalie Norrena to put Frölunda up 4 - 1. Krog has nearly a point a game during his time here in Sweden after coming over from Switzerland and whatever happens the rest of the year I hope he stays.
posted by Jeremiah at 12:18 PM
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