VAXJÖ. Many supporters left the Växjö Lakers’ latest thriller prematurely.
Extension collided with semi-finalists Växjö Vipers on a ground ball.
– Someone probably wanted to go there, says Joel Pearson from Växjö.
He started the Östers IF vs AFC Eskilstuna football match at 13.00 (after bringing forward the original kick-off time of 15.00).
Växjö Lakers first SC final against Skellefteå AIK in ice hockey 15.15.
Växjö Vipers SC’s sixth semi-final against Storvreta in a 6.30pm globe.
It was a busy sports day in Växjö – and this is perhaps part of the explanation for why the packed Vida Arena (5,750 spectators) was different in extra time.
Leave Shiver
Many fans left the ice hockey arena by 6:30 p.m., and it seemed less crowded in the stands when Keegan Lowe scored another goal 45 minutes later in the fifth period (!).
– I didn’t think of that. But obviously, if you have kids, sitting is going to be a lot of time, says Skellefteåbacken Oskar Nilsson.
Back star: “Their Choice”
Växjö Lakers star linebacker Joel Persson, 29, didn’t notice the empty seats in overtime.
– No, I really didn’t. You focus on the good play and atmosphere, which I still think it was. Why people returned home, I have no idea. They may have other plans, Pearson says.
Auster played first, then I played, then…
– Exactly, Växjö Vipers SM played the semi-finals. So maybe some people wanted to go there. Looks like they are the ones who left.
How do you feel about that?
– It’s what it is. It’s not something you can control. Like I said, I didn’t notice it. It’s simply their choice, we focus on winning and we make it happen.
Auster won 3-0. The Växjö Lakers won 3–2 and the Växjö Vipers lost 2–10. There is a decisive seventh in the semi-finals in Uppsala on Monday.
The hockey finals are played in Skelleftea, also on Mondays.