New York. This Sunday, no one should be surprised if they raise the Swedish flag in Buffalo.
Because last night when the Sabers won in a wild drama against Minnesota at home at Keybank Center, Rasmus Dahlen scored a new personal record five points – and Viktor Olofsson decided overtime with his second game of the evening.
– It was a swing match and an incredibly good atmosphere in the hall, so it felt great fun to put the puck into overtime, Jolovsson tells Sportbladet after the 6-5 win.
Yes, swingy is indeed the word that describes the island rally between the Buffalo Sabers and the Minnesota Wild.
At the end of the second half, the home team was leading 4-2, but with just over two and a half minutes left, the visitors turned it up 5-4. Then, Rasmus Dahlen equalized and 4.41 in extra time decided Viktor Olofsson by scoring his second goal of the evening – with his patented direct shot.
– It was hard to come back that way. We have grown as a team and gained a lot of confidence after playing well in the last few weeks. We don’t panic when we find ourselves at a disadvantage, we know we can come back, says the match champ on the phone from Buffalo.
– Target? It was Rasmus (Dahlen) who dropped the puck to Peyton Cripps and he hit me with a nice direct pass. It was just a matter of pinching. Great fun putting the disc into overtime, it was a special night.
Personal scoring record
Just Dahlin did a few other things, too: He scored two touchdowns of his own and was responsible for three total plays thus breaking a personal record.
“There aren’t many people who manage to pick up five points during a game and to do so as a fullback is very nice,” Olofsson lauds his compatriot.
– But Rasmus is not only good in attack, he does a great job all over the field.
Just like Tuesday’s win over Washington, the Buffalo players, like everyone else in Western New York, were on the mind of Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills player who went into cardiac arrest in Monday’s NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals, and is still being treated in the hospital.
– Yes, the whole town gathered about what happened, and we’re on the team too. It was very upsetting to see that, but it’s good that he’s on the road to recovery now, Victor comments.
Joel Erickson Ek was responsible for the goals and assists at the Wild.
Swedish debutante Pontus Holmberg continues to produce in Toronto. He scored his fourth goal of the season as the Maple Leafs rallied from 1-0 down after a lackluster first period to win 4-1 over their Original Six rivals last night.
Callie Jarnkrock also contributed a first-rate backhand assist on one of John Tavares’ goals.
– It was a really great pass, not easy to beat, praised the captain of the team, Tavares.
At the same time, Mitch Marner scored both goals and assists, and reached 500 points.
Andrei Borakowski had a successful night with a goal and two assists as Seattle claimed their fourth consecutive win by defeating Ottawa 8-4 on the road.
– We’re a much better hockey team this year than last year, States coach Dave Haxtol.
Alex Weinberg and Adam Larson also provided assists – while Tim Stötzl completed a hat-trick for the Senators, unsuccessfully.
Victor Arvidsson hit his 11th complete strikeout of the season during the night.
But the man behind the Los Angeles Kings’ victory in Las Vegas – one of the highlights of the season – was Kevin Fiala, who completed a hat-trick when he scored in the final minutes to make it 5-1 in an empty net.
The point streak that Erik Carlsson broke was “only” fourteen games. In San Jose’s 4-2 loss against Boston at Sharktank last night, Småland’s star running back scored a zero for the first time since the end of November.
One of the main culprits was Linus Ullmark, once again shining in the Boston box – not least in the third period.
A breakthrough in regulation occurred when Columbus beat Carolina, 4-3, on penalties.
22-year-old rookie Kirill Marchenko completed a hat-trick – and then scored a fantastic penalty kick.
– It’s like a dream, he says.
Emil Bimström played up to one of his three goals.
When it gets serious, Colorado’s collapse remains to be reckoned with. They won tonight’s landmark replay of the Spring Conference Final against the Oilers in Edmonton by a score of 3-2 – after a goal in overtime by star linebacker Cal McCarr.
Montreal has been struggling lately, but managed to beat St. Louis 5-4 at home at the Bell Center last night. Help Callie Rosen achieve one of the Visitors’ goals.