A contested decision and two power play goals for Rögle meant HV71 lost their fifth consecutive single goals away from home.
– We fight and create chances, but don’t get the puck, Matthias Tidenbe tells C More after losing 1-2.
A HV71 need points and have lost their last four away matches. But also the team that recently broke the trend at home against Brynäs and with veteran Niklas Hjalmarsson as new captain won for the first time since December 3.
With more than 800 NHL appearances under his belt, HV is hoping that captain’s experience and composure will miss his teammates.
It’s a good balance between keeping calm and making everyone aware that we have to start taking the three points. We can’t wait any longer. It’s about playing 60 minutes of hockey, Hjalmarsson said before relegation, we haven’t played many matches like that.
I’m looking for revenge
Victory came on December 3 against Rögle, and on Saturday afternoon the Angel Islanders were looking for revenge. But the Greens, who lost their first two games of the year, haven’t been the same winning machine during the season as they were last season when they won the regular season. Last time against Örebro, they also lost a seemingly safe lead and lost.
We’d rather learn from him now than later in the season, said Coach Cam Abbott, and the question now is whether his men can deliver in front of the packed Katina Arena.
HV71 is the worst team in the SHL at box play and after 13 minutes into the game Rögle took advantage when Oskar Stål-Lyrenäs blocked Daniel Zar’s shot. The goal was the 21st of the season the visitors had conceded by one player on the ice. The goal meant the sixth point for Stal-Lirenas in the last four matches, and Rogli maintained his lead until the third period.
It was a great pass and it was great to see the puck go in, says Stål-Lyrenäs.
As the game progressed, HV71 gained more and more, and after just one shot on goal in the first half, the visitors got the game going in both the second and the third.
Controversial expulsion
But a controversial expulsion into the attacking area meant Rogl had to play with another man. With Mikel Bodker in the penalty area, the score narrowed again when Adam Tambellini was allowed to seal the match with almost five minutes remaining.
With two seconds left, Sam Vigneault cut the deficit to 2-1. When Malmö and Brenas both took points in the battle at the bottom, the nightmare was a reality.
And Rogel took revenge for his part.
Gains and efforts like this strengthen everyone’s self-confidence. Incredibly important. That could be really good, says Rögle’s great goalkeeper Kali Klang.