HV71’s furious – sour words after the lead-heavy loss in the anxiety qualifier against Oskarshamn: “Don’t want to say more…”

Match ball in the anxiety qualifier against Oskarshamn.
But there was a loss – and afterwards there was real anger at HV71.
– I don’t want to say more, says assistant coach Pelle Gustafsson.

The series that has been called the “angry qualifier” by hockey experts, the one between the two worst teams in the SHL, could not be more exciting. HV71 had match ball, and the chance to secure continued SHL play next season, against Oskarshamn on Tuesday. But that did not happen.

“Too bad”

Oskarshamn got off to a flying start and after the first period the home team had a 2-1 lead in the sixth game of the series, which determines who plays in the Hockeyallsvenskan next year. HV71 looked taken by the seriousness of the moment, and the tie at 1-1 in the first period was not fair.

After the first period, there were really upset faces in the HV71 camp, both from the dressing room and from the coaches. When HV’s coach Johan Lindbom stood in front of TV4’s microphone before the second period, he did not hold back in his criticism.

– I don’t find much positive in the first period at all. The positive thing is that we are only one goal behind and still in the game. It’s just too bad straight across, he says.

Seventh and decisive

HV71 had a better second period, but it was not reflected in the goal column. Instead, Oskarshamn could go up to 3-1 via Nick Olesen, and it took until the third period before HV71 could reduce. However, they didn’t get any closer, and in an open box Viktor Lodin, who at times dominated in the qualifying series against HV, was able to score decisively 4-2. This means that there is now a seventh and completely decisive match about who plays in the SHL, and who plays in the Hockeyallsvenskan, on Friday.

And in HV71 it was clear that the loss took a toll. At the press conference after the match, assistant coach Pelle Gustafsson was brief and noticeably irritated.

– We only play hockey for the last 20 minutes. I don’t want to say more, but my thoughts are already on the match on Friday, he says.

In Oskarshamn, however, there were other voices. Viktor Lodin, who scored ten points in the six games so far, believes that the plan is now clear.

– Go and win a game seven. It’s not often you get to play a game seven. It will be magical. That’s wonderful. It will be cruel, he tells TV4.