Hans Abrahamsson: It will definitely start being talked about in Gothenburg
Timro. Old Temra vs. New Frolunda.
This evening was older.
What a nightmare start it has been for the build-up of Roger Runeberg’s new team.
Few people seem to have missed the purge that took place in Frolunda after the resignation of Joel Lundqvist.
The team captain resigned after last season and when the door was still open, Frolunda took the opportunity to send forwards such as Loui Eriksson, Anthony Greco, Jan Mursak, Jakob Nilsson, Ryan Lash and Patrick Karlsson. The last two people mentioned are also loyal servants who also had contracts during this season.
Add to that that Johan Sundstrom was forced off under the same circumstances before last season and you realize it’s close to a complete change being made to Frölunda’s forward side.
Roger Roneberg and Sporting Director Sjöström need a good start this season, otherwise there will certainly be talk about it in Gothenburg.
This was only a good start.
The first period had two main sequences
After 20 minutes, Frölunda was sent to the dressing room with a 0-3 lead. The score may not have completely reflected the game, but Frölunda played too little, too hard and too inaccurate without the puck in many situations.
If it was good in the offensive zone, it was quite the opposite in the own zone where it looked wide open.
And you don’t do it with impunity against this version of Timrå, because my God, how much does this team have to face when they have the puck.
The first period contained two main sequences.
Just two minutes later, Henrik Tömmernes (of all people) fumbled the ball on a power play and Hanzl/Pääjärvi made the save in the blink of an eye to score the lead. Pajarvi then scored twice with five minutes to play.
Gothenburg’s next slap in the face came with six seconds left in the period when Robin Hanzel made it 3-0 on the power play. Then, a few seconds ago, Frolunda had drawn on the offensive blue line.
Roger Røneberg had had enough and replaced national team goalkeeper Lars Johansson.
Don’t understand the criticism of Thursday’s premiere
After a long preparation period as usual and without any nerves, it was finally time for the premiere.
About 600 seats were empty in what was formerly called Timrå Ice Arena (or Isladan) which in recent years has had three sponsor names and is now called SCA Arena.
But the pressure before relegation and in the first period was nothing to complain about.
Certainly some potential spectators, such as families with children and absent fans, were lost by the choice of opening day.
Because it was discussed whether it would be stupid to have the premiere on a Thursday instead of a Saturday. Even the SHL, which governs game days, prefers Saturday. I’m one of those who think that starting games on Thursday/Saturday is better than first showing on Saturday and then waiting a long time (at least in the hockey world) until Thursday for the next round.
Also, starting with a full game on Thursday — and then having Saturday’s game split as a little pie to look forward to — takes into account the fact that it’s harder to sell all of the opening games on Thursday versus Saturday.
It’ll be like having our cake (first round) and eating it (Saturday’s round) – and I’m loving it
And it wasn’t exactly empty on this opening night. Sold out in Oscarshamn, Jönköping and Angelholm.
I took out the rest when Lundqvist’s door was open
This thing about “Old Timrå” in the preamble is a gross generalization.
Admittedly, sporting director Kapanen chose the opposite path against Frolunda. Timrå’s continuity from season to season is somewhat unique in SHL history. Only one player (Philip Hallander) and goalkeeper Tim Joel were brought in for the team that finished fifth in the table.
It will also be added that Kapanen made a lot of changes during last season when he selected Jonas Lehtinen, Axel Rendl, Simon Forsmark, Magnus Bajjarvi, Olli Palula and Pano Miho.
Now Västra Stå wanted an answer on whether this team is also made of the right wood this season. And what response did they get, at least for the first 20 minutes.
Then the home team wavered in its performance.
Frolunda fell behind midway through the half but when, within four seconds, the visitors suffered their third and fourth red card respectively, Ilmire Ironen made it 4-1.
How good is this edition of Timrå? Yes, 51 rounds and one playoff game remaining before we get the final answer. But we can already tell that they have taken their game to another level compared to last season.
The way they moved the ball and involved defenders was impressive.
To the tunes of Metallica followed by a standing room sing-along to “Timrå Hej” the home team entered.
Then Jeremy Boyce was praised for a rather improbable 700 appearances in a Timrå shirt. Boyce is unlikely to be quite so boyish, having turned thirty only a few months ago.
There were a lot of nice things in Timrå this evening.
Frölunda have a lot of catching up to do if they intend to become a top team.