Oskarshamn took only 37 points during the regular season, which is the worst since Karlskrona in the 15/16 season, which took 31 points.
But in the first qualifying match in the best of seven once morest HV71, Oskarshamn won. Much thanks to Viktor Lodin, who was in the spotlight in the first period.
Avoid match penalties
He opened the scoring five minutes into the game by turning in a rebound on Nick Olesen’s shot. Two minutes later he jumped into a tackle on Victor Sjöholm, which was video-reviewed and then resulted in a two-minute suspension. Something he himself was surprised by.
– I was a little worried, but the judges know best and thought it was a second. Getting a five and not being allowed to play anymore. It would have been super boring to put the team in that situation, he told SVT Sport following the match.
The whole of Oskarshamn probably thought it was nice that there was no match penalty. Because two minutes following Lodin was allowed to play once more, he was responsible for an assist when Ahti Oksanen tried a pass but instead via an HV71 stick got the puck into the goal.
Made a new goal
Lodin wasn’t done there. Before the period was over, he had drawn a second when he brought down a HV player. An eventful period for Lodin, to say the least.
And following Austin Wagner made it 3-0 in the second period, Lodin closed out the game in the third. On the power play, with eight minutes remaining, he thundered in a direct shot from the right. 4-0, a goal that caused many HV71-clad to leave the stands.
– I really like playing matches like this where there is really something at stake and there is a lot of emotion, says Lodin to SVT Sport.
Oskarshamn eventually won 4-2. The next match will also be played in Jönköping on Sunday.
– It’s a good and stable effort over 60 minutes, says Lodin to SVT Sport.
