Best friends are SM’s last enemies in ice hockey
VAXJÖ. Tobias Rieder from Växjö was the best man at Tom Kühnhackl’s wedding in Skellefteå.
But they are enemies for the next few weeks.
– When the disc is released, there are no friends, says Tom Koneckl.
They grew up together, went to the same school, and played hockey with each other.
The sport took childhood friends from German Landshut into the world. They have played hundreds of games in both the NHL and will play in the SHL since the fall of 2021.
Tobias Rieder, 30, was Växjö’s second-highest scorer in the regular season, and team native Tom Konenkel, 31, is one of Skellefteå’s key players.
Be the best man at the wedding
Now they meet in the last series – and it’s no exaggeration to call them best friends.
– He was the best man at my wedding, so we’re very close, says Tom Konnacle.
What is it like to play against your best friend?
– It’s special. You guys are always competing against each other and we’re in a special period, series finale against each other. Unfortunately, only one of us can win.
But on the ice, aren’t you friends?
– No, once the disc is released, there are no friends there. You do everything for your team.
New Marriage: “So I’m the Best Man”
How often do you have contact?
– often, almost every day. We talk a lot and send messages to each other. Simply check the situation in life, he will get married next summer.
Then you are the best man?
– Yes I will!
Tobias Reader confirms this with a smile.
– It feels very funny, says the Växjö striker and says he has heard little about them in recent days.
– We talked to each other during the qualifiers, in the first two rounds. But I’m sure the contact will loosen up a bit now. We will receive it when it is finished. Now we’ll be competitive for a few weeks.
Växjö and Tobias Rieder won the first round after an overtime decision in the fifth game.
And they didn’t completely cut off contact.
“He’ll probably send me a letter after this,” says Tom Konnacle with a wry smile.
Match 2 of the SM Final will be played on Monday evening at 19.30.