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A Good Start...A Very Good Start
Malmö Redhawks got off to a powerful start to their Kvalserien with two games this last week. There was a marvellous atmosphere in Malmö Isstadion on Wednesday night for the visit of Rögle BK. Malmö continued there run of good results against their neighbours with a comfortable win (4-1).
Not so Neighbourly
Malmö's first game in the Kvalserien was at home against local rivals Rögle. Malmö were not in a very neighbourly mood however and made it a comfortable win with a very clinical, professional, offensive performance in the first two periods. Goals from Robert Tomik (2), Calle Söderbergh and David Moravec were a fair reflection of Malmös dominance in the first two periods. The experts said beforehand that it would be the better box and powerplays that would go a long way towards deciding which teams would go to the Elitserien. "Malmö have a very good powerplay, a level that would even be high in the Elitserien" claims Rögle coach Gunnar Persson. "We played 16 minutes out of the first forty a man down" observed Persson, "that was almost impossible." Malmö coach Bergström was pleased with the opening minutes "We could have been three up in the first five minutes." It was in one of those powerplays that Malmö scored first. A shot from Markus Matthiasson rebounded from the Rögle keeper and was slotted home from Robert Tomik. However instead of building on that lead the home team allowed the visitors back into things. After 12.23 Kristopher Stark equalised after a face of in the Malmö zone. That was the wake up call needed and just thirty seconds later Calle Söderbergh made it two one (powerplay goal) after good work from Kim Staal and David Moravec. Robert Tomik made it 3-1 after just a few minutes of the second period. A shot from Riihijarvi was not dealt with by Johansson in the Rögle net and Tomik cleaned up and put it into what was practically an empty net. Tomiks recognition of Riihijarvi after the goal said it all. The game was certainly leaning in Malmös favour and with ninety seconds left of the middle period David Moravec put the game beyond Rögle. Malmö "took care of business" in the final period and shut out the Rögle offence to run out an impressive 4-1 win.
"Osten" reflected afterwards that "we are getting better and better in the various meetings with Rögle."
Juha Riihijarvi had his best game in some time for the Redhawks. He showed his great experience, had good pace and made no mistakes. Their was great confidence in the box and powerplays as well as when it was 5 on 5. Riihijärvi tonight showed himself to be the kind of leader a team needs in the Kvalserien.
Beforehand the need for effective powerplays as well as box plays was highlighted as being necessary. Tonight Malmö had an airtight box play. There were two penalties in the second where Malmö were particularly effective, more or less keeping Rögle in their own zone. It was impressive from all those involved but Mikael Wahlberg, as usual, was key in thwarting Rögles hunt for goals.
As in the last derby David Moravec finished things off with less than two minutes left on the clock in the middle period. Andreas Andersson was left totally unprotected and Moravec made the most of the opportunity with a shot from the face off zone.
The Atmosphere
There was a wonderful atmosphere at Malmö Issatdion for the game. One of the best in a long time. The Malmö faithful were loud, enthusiastic and drove the team on. The atmosphere in the arena was more or less like an extra man on the ice for the Redhawks. With two minutes remaining the crowd in the terraces encouraged everyone to stand. They did and the noise was unbelievable. An appropriate finish to a great occasion. The Malmö faithful certainly deserve to be congratulated and rewarded for there efforts.
Afterwards Rögle coach Persson reflected, "We worked hard for sixty minutes. When five on five we were better than we have been for a while, but we could not defend for 6o minutes. It was certainly a well deserved victory for Malmö"
Pictures from Malmö v Rögle
Stats for Malmö v Rögle
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