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Weekly Update
[Week 47 and 48]
Nybro Vikings 1 - Malmö 5
Malmö 1 - Rögle BK 0
Malmö 4 - Arboga 1
Malmö 5 - AIK 0
Games
Nybro Vikings v Malmö Redhawks (Victoriahallen, November 23rd, 2005)
Malmö continued their run of good form with what seemed like a comfortable victory at Nybro Vikings. With Nybro towards the bottom of the table, high flying Malmö would have been expecting to come away from this one with three easy points. On paper all this seemed pretty clear, on the ice it was a different story. Nybro started strongly and after just 98 seconds Jens Svensson had them ahead 1-0. Worrying for Malmö, considering they were missing their points leader Calle Soderberg. Tony Makiaho however was the saviour of the day with two goals after 7 minutes (assisted by Andre Savage) and 12 minutes (unassisted) sent Malmö into the break leading 2-1.
Nybro dominated many aspects of the second period. Malmö seemed to give away easy penalties and spent much of the time shorthanded. Things were not looking too good. Coach Bergström states ?We lost our grip with all the penalties. We were poor and Corey Hirsch saved us? However the game turned during one of those box plays. Edvin Frylen and Juha Riihijärvi found themselves 2 on 1. Frylen laid it off for Jussi and Malmö found themselves 3 ? 1 up shorthanded. ?A very important goal? the coach admitted afterwards. Malmö gladly took the 3-1 lead at the end of the second.
The third period went fully according to plan. Malmö dominated the game and the only concern could be the lack of goals from so many chances. Coach Bergström said ?We played very well in this period, we created lots of chances? Late goals from Kim Staal (assisted by Juha Riihijärvi) and Mikael Wahlberg (assisted by Simon Skoog and Corey Hirsch) saw Malmö run out 5-1 winners. Those who saw the game though could argue that the ease of the victory on paper did not reflect how difficult it was on the ice.
Malmö Redhawks v Rögle (Malmö Issatdion Wednesday November 30th, 2005)
The big one against bitter local rivals Rögle BK. One fan was overheard beforehand saying that it was nearly worth getting relegated for these games (I am sure many would argue that).
Motivation was no problem for Malmö, playing in front of an almost full home crowd and looking for revenge for the 4-3 defeat in October. The crowd was seated well before the puck dropped and excitement was high. Redhawks played in a new red jersey. Coach Bergström says that it was to show that the players are playing with heart. Those jerseys are now being auctioned off at www.malmoredhawks.com .
It was a very tight game. Both defences dominated and not many chances were created. Both teams were missing key players. Rögle were without captain Kenny Jonsson and Malmö were without Kim Staal and Christian Sjögren. Most notable in the first period was the number of penalties being awarded. There were very few minutes when there was not at least one player in the penalty box. Malmös boxplay (especially Mikael Wahlberg) was strong as usual but what was concerning was the number of face offs being conceded. The only big surprise was that the first period ended without any goals in what was a tight, tactical match.
This trend continued into the second, lots of powerplays, very tight with both defences again at the top of their game. The number of penalties given away by Malmö must have agitated the management who surely asked for better discipline and concentration from his players in the final period, not to mention of course that they must take any chances they get.
?It is not unusual in derby games that a lucky goal can make all the difference.? Said Lars Bergström afterwards. That?s exactly what happened in the third period. In what was a repeat of the first two periods. With the players knowing that any mistake could cost them the game at this stage both teams tightened up. Chances were created but Malmö were still missing that finishing tough. After 56 minutes however the game was turned on its head. Malmö had the Rögle defence on the rack. A shot by Sekeras from the blue line somehow passed the unlucky keeper and crept over the line after Marcus Matthiasson helped it along Nice goal, certainly not. Important absolutely. Coach Bergström said afterwards that "Matthiasson was our best forward but I expect more from our other forwards" . Despite Rögle pulling the keeper for the last minute there was no change to the score.
Malmö Redhawks v IFK Arboga (Malmö Isstadion, Friday December 2nd, 2005)
In contrast to the excitement of Wednesday it all seemed very dull for this home game. Friday night matches have not proved all that popular with the Malmö fans and there was a very small crowd at the game. The game itself also proved uninspiring. Malmö led 3-1 at the end of the first period after goals from Robert Tomik (assist Riihijärvi,Sekeras), Riihijärvi (Soderberg,Frylen) and Wahlberg (Savage and Matthiasson). This despite Arbogas Martin Franzen making it 1-1 after 13 minutes. Arboga changed goalkeeper for the second period, Scottish born Stephen Murphy was brought in and made a difference making some great saves, (including one with his head) over the last two periods. Markus Matthiasson did score after 23 minutes in a powerplay (assisted by Frylen) to make it 4-1. And that was how the game finished. Malmö played better in the second period putting Arboga under pressure for long periods of the game but they were unable to beat Murphy.
Malmö will be without Carl Soderberg for the next game against AIK due to suspension. He was given a match ban for roughing having gotten involved in a fight with Arbogas Johan Thelin. This was after Soderbergh had been penalized for cross checking from behind Arbogas John Lind. Lind was seriously hurt, taken from the ice on a stretcher and to Malmö hospital with a suspected serious concussion. These suspensions were more serious for Arboga who now only have thirteen players available for the next game against Rögle on Sunday.
Most significantly for Malmö apart from winning this game was results elsewhere. Both Rögle and Skellefteå who were challenging Malmö at the top had lost.. These results left Malmö in a very strong position and the table looking like this.
|
Played |
Points |
| IF Malmö Redhawks |
17 |
40 |
| Skellefteå AIK |
18 |
38 |
| Rögle BK |
18 |
34 |
Malmös coach Bergström believes that his players can only get better. They will be put to the test with a difficult home game against AIK on Sunday.
Malmö Redhawks v AIK (Malmö Isstadion Sunday December 4th, 2005)
Anticipation was high before this game. The red jerseys were pulled out for the occasion again. AIK had defeated Rögle on Friday night and had put together an impressive run of results over previous weeks. It soon became apparent that Malmö had complete control of the game right from when the puck dropped. Malmö had AIK on the rack from the start. Malmö could have scored 3 or 4 but AIK netminder Gustav Wesslau kept them in it. A powerplay (5 on 3) goal from Marcus Matthiasson after 12 minutes (assisted by Simon Skoog) was enough to see the home team go into the break one goal up. The Malmö leadership must have been very happy with both the powerplays and the box plays.
It was the second period where Malmö let their dominance be felt. Am early goal from Mikael Wahlberg (assisted by Andre Savage) set them off on the right path. Matthiasson scored his second and Malmös third after 31 minutes (assisted by Riihijärvi and Tomik). Matthiasson was unlucky not to get his hat trick when hitting the post a few minutes later. Malmös fourth line (known as the Huey, Duey and Louis line) consists mostly of young players who have come up through the junior system at the club. Philip Forsberg playing his first senior game completed the period when scoring his first senior goal after 38 minutes (assisted by Hersley and Thuresson)
The third period was a little quieter but Malmö were no less in the dominance. Malmös Canadian forward Andre Savage completed the scoring after 55 minutes (assisted by Johan Björk)
Another shut out for Hirsch, the attack as strong as ever and an ever improving defense only served to add to Malmös confidence in the run up to the second half of the season. Bergström was very happy with the quality of the performance and many at the game felt it was Malmös best performance of the season thus far. 2 points ahead in the league, one game less played things are certainly looking good for the rest of the season. Roll on Växjö Lakers away next Wednesday, live updates on www.malmoredhaws.com and on Sports Zap.
Other News
Malmös live mobile phone update service has won the sports mobile phone service of the year at an awards ceremony in Stockholm.
Story told by: John Noonan
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