Newark. There were no new goals, but Elmer Soderblom was responsible for a fantastic effort as well against New Jersey last night – and helped Detroit to their second straight win.
– It feels so good after that first day, says the two-meter rookie for Sportbladet after winning 5-2.
He already scored his first goal in the NHL on his debut for the Red Wings last night, the Gothenburg massive striker – and continued the same way at The Rock in Newark a day later.
Admittedly, as I said, he didn’t score this time, but he’s been close a few times – both for his series co-stars Oskar Sundqvist and Michael Rasmussen.
– Yes, I think we played a good match. We made a lot of it and it felt hard to face them, says Elmer when we interviewed him afterward.
– It’s so much fun, it was a good start for us.
“Something you have to get used to”
The fact that he was allowed to start his National Hockey League career with two games in one day – a system to which newcomers from Europe were not accustomed – meant no major challenge to the former Frölundaite.
– It’s something you have to get used to, and it’s a tight schedule. He explains to me that I try to learn from him and gain good actions.
– Now I feel relaxed after the first day. I’m just really excited to work.
And Elmer doesn’t know how he feels about losing in the NHL just yet. The Wings slipped 1-0 after one period last night but turned around and took a 4-2 lead midway through the game – then shut it out completely in the third.
Yes, this is proof that we can actually close matches as well. We weren’t very good at it last year, so it looks promising,” says Oscar Sundqvist.
– Of course we have to be satisfied with both first matches.
It started with two flops
As for demons, they cannot be like that. Like the wingers, they have hopes of pushing the table big this year, but the season has started to flop twice and disgruntled fans chanted last night that they wanted to see coach Lindy Ruff fired.
We have enthusiastic fans, and they are used to winning. I understand and take full responsibility, it’s part of my job to do such things, he says.
Lucas Raymond contributed two passes for the wings and Jesper Pratt and Fabian Zetterlund contributed to each of the Devils.