It looked as if Frölunda preserved the thunderous form well when the SHL restarted after a two-week national team break.
Five straight victories, league lead and a really sharp first period against Leksand in Tegera Arena. Imaginative attacking play, sharp forward plays – and only a bar that prevented future JVM player David Edstrom from scoring 0-1 in Dalarna.
Yes, Frölunda had 12-5 in shots, total control of the events.
– Yes, we do everything in that period – except score goals, states Roger Rönnberg after the match.
Totally lost the game in second
And in the second period, the roles were completely reversed.
Leksand won the shots with 16-2 (!) – and Frölunda threw away puck after puck in sloppy plays. When center Mikael Ruohomaa gave the puck away, yes – then Lucas Elvenes quickly picked it up and passed it to Patrik Zackrisson.
The former Frölunda player shot directly, hitting the roof of the net behind Lasse Johansson.
– It looked far too stressed in our plays. We had no peace at all, analyzes Roger Rönnberg.
And Frölunda’s captain Max Friberg was not satisfied.
– We have to get back to the game we had in the first period. Then we had options from below all the way and supported each other, he analyzed in the last TV break.
And Frölunda started the third period significantly better.
Created chance after chance, but Jakob Hellsten in Leksand’s box held tight. With 2.39 left in regular time, coach Roger Rönnberg picked goalkeeper Lasse Johansson to make a final push with an extra outfielder.
And the really big situation came – when center Nicklas Lasu got a completely open goal.
However, he was attacked from behind and shot outside…
– We are far too round. I think we wore down the ice in the corners here in Leksand – and we deserve to score zero goals, says coach Roger Rönnberg disappointedly.
He stated at the same time that there are small margins. Just as usual in the SHL.
– It makes so little difference in a match like this. Game-wise, we score a hell of a lot of good minutes and that’s a positive thing to take with us to the next game. Then we have to hone in on the ability to score goals, says Frölunda’s coach.
“More fun to lead the series when the season is over”
However, Frölunda still leads the SHL, when table jumbo Modo comes to Scandinavium and a sold-out arena.
– Well, is it sold out? What fun! But it’s more fun to lead the series when the season is over. We need to find things to grow on in the game. And we have to make the players get better every day that we are together. That is the important thing, says Roger Rönnberg.
Frölunda stays an extra night in Leksand, trains on Friday morning in Tegera Arena – before it’s time to get on the bus for the seven-hour journey back to the west coast.
READ MORE:Frölunda’s players are trained in gambling problems
READ MORE:For Nikolaj Rupi, 19, there was never the thought of giving up
READ MORE:Here are Gothenburg’s biggest hockey talents
Frölunda’s Rollercoaster Performance – A Comedy of Errors
Ah, Frölunda! The team that can make a rollercoaster look like a straight road. One moment, they’ve got ‘thunderous form’, as the article suggests—it’s like they’re flying high on wings made of pure enthusiasm! The next? Well, they’re about as useful as a chocolate teapot. They come back from a two-week sabbatical for the national team break, claiming victory with a five-game winning streak, but then *poof*—the magic disappears like your favorite snack when you turn your back on it!
A First Period of Brilliance
The first period against Leksand saw Frölunda’s players zipping around like they were on roller skates at a disco party. Twelve shots, zero goals. A classic case of putting on a dazzling performance but forgetting to bring home the trophy. Roger Rönnberg exclaimed post-match, “Yes, we do everything in that period—except score goals.” Brilliant insight, Roger! Next time, maybe just play the game of charades and hope one of them gets it right.
Totally Lost the Game in the Second
Then came the second period—a real wipe-out! Leksand won the shot count 16 to 2. It was like watching a cat toy with its prey. Frölunda’s players decided to play a game of “who can pass the puck to the enemy,” and suddenly, Lucas Elvenes and Patrik Zackrisson were styling on them. I mean, if you’re going to underperform, at least do it glamorously, right?
Max Friberg, Frölunda’s captain, mused about finding a way back to their earlier form. It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack, except the haystack is on fire and the needle is busy signing autographs elsewhere!
The Third Period: The Last Chance Saloon
Ah, the third period—Frölunda woke up and roused their creative juices. Chance after chance came flooding in until, poof, yet another piece of mediocre marksmanship. Jakob Hellsten in Leksand’s goal was like the Great Wall of China—absolutely impenetrable!
Roger Rönnberg was not having it. “We are far too round.” Absolutely, Roger! Round might as well be their mascot at this point because they’re rolling around without direction. And when Nicklas Lasu had an open goal but ended up shooting wide, it was as if the universe was playing a prank on them. If laughter is the best medicine, that missed goal might just cure world hunger!
Success Is Relative
Despite all this heart-stopping drama, Frölunda still leads the SHL. A comforting thought, but isn’t it sweeter to lead the series *when* the season is over? Roger seems to think so—which shows just how much optimism they’re trying to hold on to amidst the chaos! They’re off to play Modo next, and I can already hear the fans praying for a miracle instead of another comedy of errors!
Frölunda, good luck! Let’s hope as they travel back for more practice, they remember that scoring goals is slightly more crucial than just having fun on the ice. Remember, it’s not just about leading the series—it’s about not ruining your chance with that big open net!
Until they figure that one out, let’s grab the popcorn and enjoy the next match.
Frölunda appeared to retain their impressive momentum as the SHL resumed following a two-week hiatus for national team commitments. They showcased a remarkable five consecutive victories, clinching the top spot in the league. Their performance against Leksand at Tegera Arena was particularly noteworthy, highlighted by a vibrant first period filled with imaginative attacking strategies. Sharp offensive maneuvers were on full display, as they dominated possession, outshooting Leksand 12-5. A near-miss saw young star David Edstrom, a future JVM player, strike the crossbar, preventing the visitors from taking an early lead in Dalarna.
– Yes, we do everything in that period – except score goals, states Roger Rönnberg after the match.
Totally lost the game in second
However, the second period marked a dramatic shift in momentum. Leksand turned the tables, outshooting Frölunda an astonishing 16-2. Frölunda’s players struggled with careless puck handling, leading to a critical turnover. When center Mikael Ruohomaa lost possession, Lucas Elvenes seized the opportunity, swiftly delivering a pass to former Frölunda player Patrik Zackrisson. Zackrisson made no mistake, firing a shot that soared into the roof of the net behind Lasse Johansson.
– It looked far too stressed in our plays. We had no peace at all, analyzes Roger Rönnberg.
Frölunda’s captain Max Friberg echoed his coach’s sentiments, expressing frustration over their lack of composure.
– We have to get back to the game we had in the first period. Then we had options from below all the way and supported each other, he analyzed in the last TV break.
In stark contrast, Frölunda emerged for the third period with renewed vigor and determination. They generated a flurry of scoring opportunities; however, Leksand’s goalkeeper Jakob Hellsten was steadfast, denying their advances. As the clock ticked down, with 2:39 remaining in regulation, Rönnberg made a daring decision to pull goalie Lasse Johansson, opting for an extra skater in hopes of mounting a comeback.
Amidst a tense final push, a golden opportunity arose when center Nicklas Lasu found himself with a clear shot on an open goal, but he was unluckily impeded from behind, sending his shot wide.
– We are far too round. I think we wore down the ice in the corners here in Leksand – and we deserve to score zero goals, says coach Roger Rönnberg disappointedly.
Rönnberg pointed to the razor-thin margins that often define SHL matches.
– It makes so little difference in a match like this. Game-wise, we score a hell of a lot of good minutes and that’s a positive thing to take with us to the next game. Then we have to hone in on the ability to score goals, says Frölunda’s coach.
“More fun to lead the series when the season is over”
Despite the disappointing loss, Frölunda maintains their position at the top of the SHL standings as they prepare to face off against struggling Modo in a highly anticipated match at Scandinavium, which is set to be a sell-out crowd.
– Well, is it sold out? What fun! But it’s more fun to lead the series when the season is over. We need to find things to grow on in the game. And we have to make the players get better every day that we are together. That is the important thing, says Roger Rönnberg.
Frölunda will extend their stay for an additional night in Leksand, conducting a training session Friday morning at Tegera Arena, before embarking on a seven-hour bus ride back to their home base on the west coast.
READ MORE:Frölunda’s players are trained in gambling problems
READ MORE:For Nikolaj Rupi, 19, there was never the thought of giving up
READ MORE:Here are Gothenburg’s biggest hockey talents
How can Frölunda improve their goal-scoring ability as they prepare for their next match against Modo?
Far too round. I think we wore down the ice in the corners here in Leksand—and we deserve to score zero goals,” lamented Rönnberg, who displayed a mix of frustration and resignation. He acknowledged the game’s fine margins, saying, “It makes so little difference in a match like this. Game-wise, we score a hell of a lot of good minutes, and that’s a positive thing to take with us to the next game. Then we have to hone in on the ability to score goals,” he added, emphasizing the importance of improvement.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Frölunda remains at the top of the SHL standings, which should be a comforting notion as they prepare for their next match against last-place Modo at Scandinavium, where a full house awaits. Rönnberg expressed excitement over the sold-out crowd but reminded his players that leading the series is more fulfilling once the season concludes. ”We need to find things to grow on in the game. And we have to make the players get better every day that we are together. That is the important thing,” he said.
Frölunda opted to stay an extra night in Leksand for a morning training session at Tegera Arena before embarking on a seven-hour journey back to the west coast, focusing on refinement and improvement.
As the team gears up for their next challenge, the hope is that they can translate their flashes of brilliance into tangible results and find consistency while they navigate the ups and downs of the season. With a commitment to learning from their missteps and a desire to regain their earlier form, Frölunda’s players and coaching staff are full of determination to turn potential into performance on the ice.
With that mindset, fans can look forward to an intriguing matchup against Modo, where the team will aim to bounce back and bolster their standing further. As the season rolls on, the drama, excitement, and unpredictability of Frölunda hockey continue to entertain and inspire.
