Frölunda SHL: Losses, Rivalry & Playoff Push | Hockey News
Leksand secured a crucial victory over Frölunda on , winning 4-2 in a game marked by a controversial penalty call. The win keeps Leksand’s hopes of avoiding relegation alive, moving them to within three points of safety with two games remaining.
The pivotal moment came in the second period with the score tied 1-1. Frölunda’s Jacob Peterson went to the ice, and his team anticipated a power play. However, the referees assessed Peterson a penalty for diving, a call that drew immediate protest from the Frölunda bench. Leksand capitalized on the ensuing power play, with Max Veronneau scoring to put his team ahead 2-1.
“I suppose it’s a clear tackle, but the referees say it’s a dive. Feel free to seize a look at it,” Frölunda coach Robert Ohlsson stated to TV4 Play, expressing his disagreement with the call. “When diving is embellished in this league, it should be called, but not in that situation.”
Frölunda quickly responded, tying the game before the end of the second period with a goal from Marcus Lindholm, assisted by Theodor Niederbach and Felix Cederqvist. However, Leksand regained the lead in the third period through Lukas Vejdemo, who scored his second goal of the night on a rebound. Michael Lindqvist then sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, extending Leksand’s lead to 4-2.
Leksand’s coach, Johan Hedberg, expressed his pride in his team’s performance. “I feel a lot of pride. It’s great for the guys,” he said.
The game’s scoring sequence began in the second period with Leksand’s initial goal by Lukas Vejdemo, assisted by Max Veronneau and Michael Lindqvist. Frölunda answered with Marcus Lindholm’s goal, assisted by Theodor Niederbach and Felix Cederqvist. Max Veronneau then put Leksand ahead again, assisted by Michael Lindqvist and Lukas Vejdemo. The final period saw Lukas Vejdemo score his second of the night, assisted by Michael Lindqvist, before Michael Lindqvist completed the scoring with a late empty-netter.
The victory is particularly significant for Leksand as they battle to avoid the qualification round for relegation. The team’s performance demonstrates resilience and an ability to capitalize on opportunities, even amidst controversial officiating decisions. The game was played at Tegera Arena.
Robert Ohlsson’s arrival at Frölunda was discussed earlier in the season, with the team highlighting his ability to balance seriousness with humor and his clear expectations for his players. Max Friberg, Frölunda’s captain, described Ohlsson as “warm and approachable” and praised his “clarity and demanding nature.” This assessment came after Ohlsson had been with the team for a couple of months following his departure from Skellefteå.
Despite Ohlsson’s positive attributes, the loss to Leksand will undoubtedly be a point of discussion. The controversial penalty call against Jacob Peterson and the subsequent power-play goal for Leksand shifted the momentum of the game, ultimately contributing to Frölunda’s defeat. The team will need to regroup and focus on their remaining games as they navigate the challenges of the SHL season.
The result underscores the competitive nature of the SHL, where even a single penalty call can have a significant impact on the outcome of a game. Leksand’s ability to capitalize on this opportunity demonstrates their determination to secure their place in the league, while Frölunda will need to address the officiating concerns and refocus their efforts to maintain their position in the standings.