New York. Another Swedish goalkeeper made his breakthrough in the National Hockey League last night.
Samuel Erson kept a clean sheet as the Philadelphia Flyers rocked Buffalo.
– It feels special, says the 23-year-old Falun rookie after the 4-0 win.
The Flyers have been known to be dangerous all season and the swordsman has simultaneously been one of their biggest offensive attractions, so it was more or less clear that there was going to be a home win duel tonight at Keybank Center in Buffalo.
but not.
Tage Thompson & Co failed to put a single disc on Samuel Ersson. He took all 28 shots he faced and kept a clean sheet – in only the fifth game of his NHL career.
– It was very good. I like that he’s so calm, it makes the whole team calm,” says coach John Tortorella after what ended up being a 4-0 win.
Samuel — who grew up in Fallon and played with the Brenas before moving to North America last fall — is, of course, content with himself.
– Of course, it is very good to keep the first net clean. It’s special, he says when he meets the media after the final whistle.
– but it’s the wins that matter, so that’s what I’m taking with me tonight.
Buffalo – who lost a golden opportunity to hang on in the East race – started very weakly, so in the first period the young crowd had little to do. But in others it was more sweaty and before the gunpowder smoke cleared he stopped 28 rounds.
“It was a mental challenge, you have to stay awake because there are several minutes left to play and the Sabers attack very sharply,” he notes.