Even before Thursday’s clash, it was a pressured Djurgården who took on Luleå with six straight losses in the backpack – and after 20 minutes played at Hovet, crisis was just the first name.
After a quarter of a game, the guests led with a full 3-0 after goals by Julius Honka, Vilmos Gallo and Pontus Andreasson.
– We have talked about not letting go of “two against one” backwards and being strong in front of goal. I do not know what will happen, it will have the opposite effect and we are far too weak in front of goal, said the home team’s Niclas Bergfors to C More during the break.
Djurgården’s best goal chance came in the closing seconds of the period, but when the puck did not want to enter after a chaotic sequence in front of Luleå goalkeeper Jesper Wallstedt, the situation degenerated instead into a fight. Djurgården’s NHL-merited new acquisition Peter Holland threw down the gloves and ended up in a scuffle with Fredrik Styrman and when Luleåbacken was not on the scoresheet, the Canadian got a spotless left hook in the face of his opponent.
Holland of course received a match penalty for the increase and a longer suspension is likely to be expected for the 30-year-old.
– It’s emotions. Frustration. I do not know if Peter knows the rules with the gloves. No, it’s frustration. We have to land and come back and try to get on the right track again, Bergfors continued.
It was finished also for Styrman who knocked got help to be led by the ice before the period was over.
In the second period, Djurgården came into the match twice in goal. The only problem was that every time you put the puck in the net, Luleå replicated immediately.
Linus Omark put 4-1 just 18 seconds after Linus Andersson made the Court rejoice for the first time – and when Filip Cederqvist made 2-4 shortly afterwards, Brendan Shinniminin slammed 2-5 28 seconds later.
Before the third period, the score is 3-5 after Ludvig Rensfeldt reduced once more for Djurgården.
The match is in progress.