IN THE PICTURE: Hayhurst was far too alone against BIK. PHOTO: JIMMY GERDIN, VIK.se
VIK fell again at home as Karlskoga won 3-5, even though blue seemed to be playing at half speed in a rejected low-tempo match. Again, a team with a similar budget was far too good for this shaky VIK which has some obvious flaws that should be addressed.
Dead in the stands and on the ice as VIK screamed for and really needs big changes after 20 opening new non-minutes at home against Karlskoga. Without being great, BIK could only go and wait for less talented expulsions and invitations, just like Mora last time. 3-1 BIK after a full 8-4 chances 5-5 blue after the first period.
Started with a small miss Kangas and immediately several dangers blue. Flood still out of form and another miss. First with Rosdahl, Komarek and Jakobsson, however, maybe ok and close in 2-against-1a. Kangas fixed a PP, but abysmal shooting by Flood and others.
1-0 after very good effort Kvist and Hayhurst where the latter netted. But of course luck was short when VIK offered street and suspiciously small painting Korhonen. Then more great chances in blue as Korhonen took revenge.
Unnecessary expulsion Hammerer and 2-1 so easily BIK from outside. Malmström new suspected unnecessary expulsion and again blue garbage in VIK’s non-existent box. In the end, Fransén fixed the PP.
Late, finally some hockey with drive and some thought in VIK in the 2nd after all. Hayhurst was brilliant last night and good chance Gradin, must sit there. Stolpe BIK after a good pass by Christoffer Jansson. Fransén dynamic and fixed great position Kant, who however missed the puck.
3-2 after a strong change Hayhurst when Kant missed when Jansson netted. Good drive and fighting suddenly, Gradin, for example, skated more than before. Engstrand presented Jansson with another good chance. 3-3 nice preparatory work Rosdahl and especially Komarek as Lyckåsen again showed his sharp shot.
But right after fine by BIK and 3-4. However, a bit of a shame that Kangas was not more vigilant, this constantly recurring VIK disease of not constantly scanning in games without the puck. At the same time, it was Jonathan Harju who was responsible for the pass that put the whole of VIK on the line. Harju is considered by many to be the greatest passer since Wayne Gretzky’s absolute glory days.
But 8-6 chances in 5-5 to VIK and some hope for the last. But that hope was quickly killed when VIK were pale again and BIK won the shootout with an embarrassing 16-7 in the last and the chances with 9-3 (!) in the last 20. When VIK would therefore chase after from 3-4…
Rosdahl started ok, but again goalless and didn’t look good as the veteran didn’t look very interested in defending when he took a suspicious bandy turn so BIK could easily score 3-5 in an empty box.
Total played out in the last when you had barley with an odd goal deficit. There really should be changes.
SUMMARY
VIK is really far behind the middle and top teams. BIK won the chances by as much as 23-15 in 5-5 (61-39%) and dominated the match except for parts in the second period when VIK temporarily got air.
Instead of wallowing in another debacle, we can look ahead to the fairly obvious things the VIK management might be able to do in the short term. However, it is easy to write this, then of course there is a lot of economics that has to work and it goes first. However, it can also be expensive in the long run not to invest if the audience figures drop even more. So a difficult balancing act.
1. Start scanning which coaches can take over to give new hope and life in and around VIK. Interest is dangerously low now with only 1,800 souls in place against Karlskoga. It was quieter than in the church. Hear many zealots who are dejected, especially considering the collapse under Helmersson last year in the last half of the season. Something has to happen, and then it is often easiest to change coaches. But there are other obvious flaws that should be addressed so that the coach (whoever he is) can have something more stable to work with:
2. The back side contains only two really proven backs who can handle the defensive continuously (Malmström and Folin). There should ideally be at least one more solid back who doesn’t take chances too often on feeling, like the rest.
3. The forward side is leaf-thin, especially the center side in terms of tip. It’s expensive, but if VIK is going to lift, a proven top-2 center will probably have to come in. Or at least a strong winger who can produce and relieve Hayhurst (excellent against BIK) and an increasingly frustrated Komarek who started sucking the puck too much in PP, maybe out of pure anger. Rosdahl so far too uneven unfortunately.
In the longer term, NJ’s job must be analyzed very carefully and there is tough pressure on the sports manager to rescue and raise the low level of this team building, which has now been shown to have a much too low minimum level. You can always lose, but VIK just can’t be this far from Kalmar, Mora and Karlskoga in terms of play.
Some bright spots against Karlskoga: Hayhurst was very good with a full 11-1 in NP, but too alone as the rest did not get the puck in order. And Malmström scored his best back in VIK with a full 7-1 in NP.
Fransén again showed his high top level, but also lots of adventure with 11-7 in NP. But you also have to have a back who is risk-prone. Sjögren toiled exemplary and Marcelius had to play some as a fourth center.
Exciting days await as we have to hope that the VIK leadership acts in some way while there is time to rekindle the faded embers among the VIK followers. A glow that can be dangerously weak after many bad years…
PUCKLIGAN
5 Jacob Hayhurst
4 Henrik Malmström
3 Malte Sjögren
2 Anton Gradin
1 Joel Kant
VIK’s Undeniable Struggles: A Sharp Observational Commentary
In the picture: Hayhurst was far too alone against BIK. PHOTO: JIMMY GERDIN, VIK.se
Ah, VIK! The team that promises a little sparkle like a pig promising to fly. “We need big changes,” they say. Well, it’s starting to sound like a broken record, much like the panic in a parent’s voice when they find their kid trying to cook for the first time. Let’s dive right into this tragic comedy that is VIK’s recent match against Karlskoga, shall we?
The Match: A Half-Hearted Tango
Watching VIK play was reminiscent of a leisurely Sunday stroll. You know, the kind where you drag your feet because the couch is calling out for a good binge-watch. The final score read 3-5, but honestly, it might as well have been a “VIK – More Pain” sign. They were outplayed, outgunned, and let’s face it, outa-luck. In a match that could only be described as half-speed, VIK appeared to be playing in a different postcode—the “Why Bother?” postcode, perhaps.
Sinking Ship Or Just the Ice Melting?
So, what’s the deal here? VIK, bless their hearts, are a bit like a bad magician. You know, the one who always makes the rabbit disappear but can’t quite manage to get the hat right. The audience—well, a paltry 1,800 souls in attendance—could probably draw their own rabbit out of that empty hat by now. To say it was quieter than a library full of mimes might be an understatement.
We had our hopes raised for a fleeting second, a glimmer of life in the second period. Hayhurst thought, “Hey, maybe it’s my time to shine!” He was brilliant, but brilliance only goes so far when the rest of the crew are still figuring out what ‘offside’ means.
Red Flags and Empty Seats
But let’s talk strategy. What’s the plan, VIK? Because currently, your strategy seems to be “Let’s see how many unnecessary penalties we can rack up.” Hammerer and Malmström must’ve missed the memo that it’s not a party if only the opposing team gets a turn in the sin bin.
Playing ice hockey without a solid defense is like trying to play chess with a board made of spaghetti—utterly messy. You can only pretend it’s all a part of the game for so long before you realize you’re just stuck with a plate of carbs no one wants.
The Need for Some Soul-Searching
Now, it wouldn’t be a proper analysis without mentioning the elephant in the rink—or rather, the glaring lack of elephants. The center positions are looking a tad thin. Bring in someone who knows how to shoot the puck without pretending it’s a precious gem—a top-notch center. This isn’t a charity case; we need firepower!
Hope Springs Eternal?
In the longer term, look at your construction site, NJ’s job needs an audit, a refresher course in how to not build a roller coaster when we needed a Ferris wheel. After all, folks want entertainment, not a ride that makes them feel sick.
True, there are a few bright spots that no amount of dark humor can overshadow. For one, Hayhurst had a phenomenal 11-1 in NP. But let’s face it, when you’re brilliant and all alone, it’s a bit like being the brightest crayon in a box of grays—alone and undervalued. That’s if crayons had feelings; if they did, they’d definitely need therapy.
The Way Forward
As we stare into the potential abyss of another season lost, it’s time for VIK management to take action. The fans are hurt, the players are frustrated, and the headlines are practically writing themselves. Can we have a bit of hope? Yes! Exciting days await—if the management gets their act together before the audience dwindles down to a handful of die-hard fans and the local cats.
To wrap it up, folks, VIK needs to pull a rabbit out of a hat, but preferably one that actually exists and is alive—not the kind that’s been left in the freezer all winter. Because if the fans wanted to watch a horror show, they’d have just stayed at home to binge-watch the latest crime series!
Puckligan Scores
- 5 – Jacob Hayhurst
- 4 – Henrik Malmström
- 3 – Malte Sjögren
- 2 – Anton Gradin
- 1 – Joel Kant
So there you have it, people! Stay tuned and stay hopeful, because as the saying goes, “Hope is the thing with feathers.” And let us hope VIK finds some before they’re left with nothing but a cold winter’s night and echoes in the stands!