The hockey semi-finals in Allsvenskan Björklöven and Djurgården started with real drama.
It started as a double nightmare for Stockholmers.
First goalkeeper Karl Lindbom was injured and then lost in sudden death with a score of 3-2.
Yes, this semi-final looks hotter than the SC final.
It’s emotions, it’s conflict, it’s turmoil. I really enjoyed it for about four periods.
And what a drama that came to the decision.
But when Karl Lindbom was injured midway through the match, I thought it would go faster than that.
Substitute Matt Galagda only had time to stand for a minute and a half in the second half before he broke his tally and it was 2-0 Bjorkloven.
And there is a risk that Djurgården’s SHL dream also exploded the very moment Carl Lindbom was injured.
Now Galajda has played well after that goal, but replacing Hockey Allsvenskan and one of the best young goalkeepers in the world will be difficult if Lindbom is out for a long period of time.
The Swedish JVM goalkeeper had a massive save percentage of 94.25 in the quarterfinals against BIK Karlskoga and was also the best in the regular season along with Björklöven’s Jonna Voutilainen.
Real key players for both teams.
There were no reports of Lindbom being injured during the match itself, but it didn’t look good.
gurgling and roughness;
Yes, this match has already begun.
It started with Frederick Weigel making an ugly cut on Lucas Videmo’s knee.
It caused irritation that continued throughout this period.
There was a rumbling and rattling quite a bit after every hit.
But it was Bjorkloven who started better and set top speed right from the descent.
When they then had the chance to play four-on-three, they took advantage and a perfectly clean Jens Lück made it 1-0 with Karl Lindbom’s left cross.
There were no more goals in the first half.
Worst possible start for Galagda
But then came the situation that most people talked about afterward.
Calle Odilius fell on Veeti Vainio in a free position and the Finnish kraschade headed at goalkeeper Carl Lindblom.
His left leg took a real hit as it was bent around the left column.
He was in pain, limping, but he got up and played.
But already at the next whistle, the zookeeper walked towards the booth and entered the locker room.
He was in so much pain that he could not continue playing.
Matt Gallagda came in.
The last time the Canadian was against Tingsryd was in the penultimate round, when it was an unexpected 3-1 loss.
Now we barely had time to warm up before Bjorkloven made it 2-0, when Jacob Andersson hit the crossbar.
Not much to load Galajda up for, but still the worst possible start for the Canadian.
Now Djurgården hit back when he deceived Linus Claassen with a shot in front of goal, but instead Noah Östlund tipped in from the left wing.
He got an open chest and didn’t miss this opportunity.
Djurgarden was in contact before the last period.
There Stockholm came into the game and eventually the equalizing goal came with only 2.50 remaining in that period.
Liam Öhgren took a free position on the left wing and flicked the ball at 2–2.
The Djurgården juniors, both drafted in the first round of the NHL, each scored a goal.
It felt fair in the end
Overtime was a fairly fitting end to this battle and there were no two wary teams out to play.
But in the end, it was Bjorkloven’s Challese David Baudouin who decided on a backhand shot that found its way all the way behind a darkened Galajda.
Then there were only 3.32 left in the first overtime period.
But in the end it seemed fair, as Bjorkloven made the most in extra time and had a long advantage before the goal.
Second round in Umeå on Tuesday.
Fasten seat belts.
