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Malmö give Björklöven Play Off Hope
One of the seasons worst performances, maybe the worst, and Malmö were on their way to their first loss in regular time on home ice. Up in Björklöven Malmö won 8-2 but this afternoon löven took revenge and won 3-4. Both the defence and the goalkeeper could have hoped for more when they offered Björklöven the three points.
"Our powerplay didn't work like before, our key players have it tough. We let in considerably more goals than before and we played carelessly" summarised"Osten" afterwards. It's not going so well for the Redhawks right now, not well at all.
Poor Opening from the Redhawks
"Löven" from Umeå had built up a two goal lead towards the end of the first period which was a poor effort from the whole team in principle. "Calle" (Söderbergh) gave it away for the first and we lost a face off for the second" complained"Osten".
Savage gives hope...twice
André Savage gave the Redhawks hope at the start of the second by reducing the lead after just 1.20. The hope faded and Malmö needed a second goal. Savage lit the flame of hope again by scoring the equaliser after 1.18 of the third.
"We got the worst conceivable start in periods, one and two. Malmö got a goal and had plenty other chances but our goalkeeper (Tobias Lundström) was fabulous today and it was difficult to score on him" summarised Björklövens trainer Alexander Beliavski.
Öberg makes it 3-2
When Janne Öberg made it 3-2 after six minutes there was only one team on the ice and a Björklöven seemed unlikely, but it did come, pretty quickly.
"We dominated from the off until 3-2. It feels a little sour, we worked hard in both the second and third periods" said Bergström.
Corey at fault when Löven came back
33 seconds after Öbergs goal Björklöven made it 3-3 through Johan Bergmark.
Guarded by Johan Norgren and forces out to a bad angle he was lucky and placed the puck both low and fast. With five and a half minutes left Nicklass Johansson made it 3-4 to the visitors and they had the destiny of the game in their own hands. Four shots on goal, two goals conceded in the third period.
"I think Corey can take responsibility for both the last goals. The third was from a bad angle and the fourth he was out and wandering, creating insecurity around him" said "Osten".
Davidsson . thanks from the trainer?
Björklövens trainer Alexander Beliavski was obviously pleased with six points against two of the top teams in the league (Björklöven beat Rögle on Friday evening)
"We want to be involved in the top four up there, and we're just looking at the next match. Anything can happen, and he is pleased that Fredrik Davidsson is as hot as the Sahara right now. Four goals against Rögle and one against Malmö.
"Yeah, you understand how hot he is right now. What can I say? It's a tough job as a trainer" he jokes and he entices a smile from"Osten" who did not have so much to be happy about.
Criticism of the Referee
"Osten" looked tormented and had a difficult loss to explain at the press conference.
"I am disappointed. Björklöven defended well. They defended for 50 minutes of the match and only had three penalties. It's hard to create things when in attack when there are five on five and there is permission to hold the stick and so on, and referee Niklas Persson got further criticism but fair judgement from "Osten".
Öberg is back.....
Good for the Redhawks was the return of Janne Öberg, the back that Per Bäckman used as a centre in Modo and is now a back again.
"He was good. He started a bit doubtful when he came but it was a good changeover, but in the second half he was good, really good" said "Osten"
Lots not Working
"Osten" is forced to troubleshoot his own team which is not working as it should for now. "Our powerplay is not working as it did before. Our key players have it tough. We are letting more goals in than before and we are careless in or play."
Clean net only for a back
"Is Corey Hirsch' back totally OK?"
Silence "yes, if it was otherwise he would not have played, but if he felt something it was not helped if he had to keep on taking the puck out of his own net all the time" finished "Osten" and despite having things to think about offers everyone a smile after losing 3-4 to Björklöven on home ice.
Text: John Noonan
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