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The Kids won this one
It was a sleepy Sunday afternoon at Malmö Ice Stadium. If not on the ice well then certainly on the terraces. As Malmö found it hard impose their game on a well organised Sundsvall team. It took Andreas Thuresson and Johan Forsberg to ensure victory in a game that many of the Malmö fans were expecting a big home victory.
Thuresson made a great contribution and was involved in the lead up to Malmös equaliser and it was great to see Forsberg to score what was effectively the winning goal for the Redhawks. After the 3-1 victory "Osten" says that "he (Forsberg) was great through the whole game"
Tough Start for Wesslau
Expectations before the game were as usual confident but after a strong victory for Sundsvall overe Rögle on Friday night showed that maybe Malmö needed a strong performance to ensure victory in this top versus bottom clash. Those concerns were well justified. After just five minutes Malmö were trailing one to nil after a powerplay goal from the visitors.
"It was an even match and it was a tough start to the game for the whole team, and a tough start for our new goalkeeper" were some of "Ostens" comments afterwards.
..But he had a good debut
New goalkeeper Gustaf Wesslau had his debut in goal. He had a disastrous start as he let in his first shot in for his new team. A deceptive pass found Mikael Romö in free space who then backhanded the puck between Wesslau's legs to make it one nil. Not a great start and the crowd were getting a little nervous about the netminder. Wesslau however was faultless for the rest of the game, restoring the fans confidence and kept out the remaining 21 shots. Malmö were fortunate to have him in good form as he had lots to do. He finished with a save percentage of 95.5%.
"He was calm and reassuring, it went well" said"Osten".
Thuresson was behind the Equaliser
Andre Savage was still out injured and was replaced in the second line by Andreas Thuresson along with Wahlberg and Tomik. This line had worked really well for a long time and it did well again with Thuresson. The eighteen year old fought hard and won the puck in an offensive corner, passed it to Hersley who shot only to see Robert Tomik guide it into the net. "It's always tough when you give away a goal so close to a break" said Sunsdvalls trainer Stefan Lindqvist.
Powerplay stays poor
Level with Sundsvall after the first period with the crowds demanding better in the second period. But the rise in tempo and more accurate passing remained elusive. Three powerplays also proved scoreless.
"We had a really good powerplay in training but this did not transfer to the game. We have not been good in the powerplay for a while now and on this front we need to improve" said a frustrated "Osten".
"Foppa" the Match Winner
It's the third period that counts and after just three minutes Johan Forsberg made it 2-1. "He was good the whole game, it was cool to see him get the match winning goal for us" said"Osten"
Jussi Scores Again
After seven minutes of the third Juha"Jussi" Riihijärvi made it 3-1 to the Redhawks when they had a two man powerplay. Sundsvall kept on working hard chasing the game. "We were right in it before the third" claimed Lindqvist," but we had an injury to one of our backs in the second period which made it difficult for our defence. We were also overloaded with the penalties we gave away. I think that experience and skill came to the fore in the third and Malmö were the deserving winners. But I think that our guys played very well" said Lindqvist.
First Line in a rut
Three points is all that counts but it seems there is a problem getting the powerplay to work. One reason could be that at the start of the season there was a fearful first line with Riihijarvi, Söderbergh and Staal who produced little. They could get nothing to work and it has taken some time.
Including today's game Riihijärvi has built up 1 + 4 in eight games, he took part in seven of those games. Kim Staal has the same numbers after eight games. Carl Söderberg is second in the internal points league but is pointless in seven games. His latest points came against Växjö where he built 1+2 in the seven nil win. That was January 9th.
Competition is Motivation
Malmö Redhawks now have nine backs on the books including the imminent arrival of new signing Martin Stepanek. Moreover Jan Öberg was lately been used as a back and so ten players are fighting for six places. "There is tough competition for places as we get close to the Kvalserien, but that is the motivation we need in training and the matches" says "Osten".
Trainer Change on the Way?
Maybe the first line could do with the stress of another signing.
"We have said that we will strengthen in every part of the team. We have got a goalkeeper and a back and maybe a forward as well. And maybe a new trainer" speculates "Osten" after strange quiet and then the usual joke that finishes the press conference..
Text: John Noonan
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