Leksand was the series’ best away team and had four straight victories against Växjö when it was believed beforehand that there would be an even match between second and fifth in the table. It didn’t turn out that way at all.
– We are in training and had a lesson today. We sailed around a bit at the end and thought we were a bit comfortable and that was reflected in this match, says Leksand’s coach Challe Berglund, who has something to talk to the players about with six hours on the bus ahead of him.
During the final minutes, the crowd stood up and celebrated their team with songs and rhythmic chants. It was Saturday night and a party in Växjö, whose team scored 4-0 in the last period against Färjestad on Thursday and surfed on that wave.
“Praised the players at 0-5”
– We gave the players praise before the last period and said that we would turn this match around even though it was 0-5 not least because of Mackan in the goal, continues Berglund whose Leksand replaced Mantas Armalis before the third period against Marcus Gidlöf.
It was an above match winner who stepped forward in Växjö.
– Right now you feel good. Always fun to deliver and a good match over 60 minutes. We drummed on even when it was 5-0 before the third period, says Hugo Gustafsson, who until tonight had scored one goal this season, to compare with eight goals in the last season.
Gustafsson’s first goal, 4-0, came at a numerical disadvantage when he received the puck in a free position and was able to finish effectively.