HV71 was the strongest team in the series before the match.
Away against Leixand, they converted a 0-2 lead into a 3-2 victory in the mud.
“Honestly, they were better today,” says surprise champion Andy Mele.
HV71 ended up in an early away bridge against Leksand when Marek Hrevik made it 2-0 right at the start of the middle period. Until then, the Dalmatians completely dominated the match.
But then Jönköping showed why they are the hottest team in the series right now, when they scored the difference within a few minutes.
First, Andre Peterson cut after a nice prep work by Nick Schur.
Just four minutes later, the equalizing goal came from the stick of Sam Vigneault. HV turned around and the game was wide open before the final period.
I decided on a dubious sudden end
After a scoreless third period, the game had to be decided in the mud. The people of Småland were the strongest there. The decisive goal was scored by Andy Mele, who finished the game brilliantly with a backhand kick that headed home.
However, the match champion was self-critical after the match.
Honestly, they were better today. I think they deserved to win,” Mellie told C Moore.
However, the goal came in a shady situation as it looked like HV was another man on the ice.
– It’s a penalty kick. There is nothing else to do. I have no idea what’s really going on. I don’t know what the rule is.
– But that’s not where we lose the game, says frustrated Leksand coach Bjorn Hellqvist to Si Moore.
Important points for HV while the loss was big for Leksand in the search for a playoff spot.
