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The semi-final match has begun
But where did the playoff go?
It wasn’t even packed in the Vida Arena and felt like a rejected beer compared to Frölunda’s quarter-final against Färjestad.
Now it was 6-2 to Växjö in the first semi-final, where Frölunda managed to challenge in two periods, but where Småland actually decided in the third stage, which they won 4-0.
Then the last two goals came into empty nets.
But there was no real playoff atmosphere in this first match. Not in the stands or on the ice.
In an arena that seats 5,750, only 5,122 seats are filled.
It’s a shame pillow chapter.
Now it was “just” one match and I can understand that the crowd is a bit spoiled at Växjö after all the successes over the years and they are saving themselves until things start to get seriously tight.
But it doesn’t look good in a playoff where everyone’s filling up the hangars.
23 of the total 28 matches were sold out.
And of the five unfilled arenas, Växjö is now down to three.
It is not approved.
Here, the club’s marketing department has a little to work with.
It did not create any real competition
At the same time, Småländers have perhaps the best team in the country, the series win indicates this, but without arousing any great emotions in the hockey public outside the municipal borders.
They have not been able to create any real competition with any other team despite all the successful years in the SHL.
Their heart rate will probably go up a few beats when they meet HV71.
Despite all the stars that have come through the years and all the SM gold, they have yet to create a real profile in the rest of Swedish hockey.
There are few clubs that are as mourned by fans of other teams as Växjö.
If a bad example of a club team is highlighted, it is usually Smålänen, despite the fact that all clubs function the same way these days.
I think it’s a bit unfair, but at the same time Växjö is bad at profiling them and their lack of products contributes to that.
oh well.
In any case, they are good and even if the team’s machine was a bit spotty in the quarter-finals against Lulea, it was back in action again on Friday night.
Martin Lundberg opened the scoring, when he received the puck in front of goal and turned and pushed the ball up on the first cross.
suits?
Joel Pearson, of course.
Then I played 12.30 in the first period as Frölunda dominated and created plenty of chances.
Växjö’s goal was the team’s third shot on goal.
The first time there was pressure
But Frölunda would have paid off soon after the goal.
Defenseman Anders Grönlund flicked the puck off Brian Cooper in his own territory creating a two-on-one, as Jan Muršak found Anthony Greco free.
The American was finally effective across the Atlantic.
Then the second half got off to a great start when Greco carefully scored his second goal, but Vakcho responded quicker than Frolunda’s first.
Full-back Lukas Bengson climbed into the lane and found the far wall behind Lacey Johansson.
Then it was only 3.08.
And in the third period came the deciding factor, when Lassi Johansson hit a straight return to Canadian Jaden Halpgoax of Växjö, who was able to squeeze 3-2 into an empty box.
It was the first time he had applied any pressure in Vida Arena.
After Växjö’s main goal, it was noted for the first time that Frölunda played seven tough matches against Färjestad and had one less rest day than the opposition.
became pyspunka.
So, logically it was 4-2 as well, when the same Halbegewachs found Dane Joachim Blichfeld who just had to put the puck behind the overplayed Lasse Johansson.
And then it was closed.
Växjö are skilled at playing at the top and even more skillful when they score goals against their opponents.
Now Roger Ronberg had to finally take his chance and pick Lacey Johansson off the post with just over four minutes left.
Half a minute later, Manuel Agrin made it 5-2 into an empty net and Victor Sternborg made it 6-2 in an equally empty goal.
Back to Scandinavia on Sunday.
Then we’re guaranteed to sell it in a match Frölunda almost has to win if it wants to survive this semi-final series.
