Mikael Ruohomaa pushed Frölunda to the semi-finals – and defeated his old team.
Now he, and Leksand, are praised by all of hockey Sweden.
– It’s so damn beautiful, says TV4 expert Almen Bibic.
The quarter-final series between Frölunda and Leksand has swung quite a bit, and on Wednesday everything would be decided in a seventh and completely decisive match. Home team Frölunda took the lead six minutes into the second period, but the joy was short-lived.
Decided against the previous team
Leksand equalized after a controversial goal from Lukas Vejdemo, when Frölunda said that the referees should have video reviewed the whole thing for offside in the goal yard. In a close and even match, Frölunda took the lead again with six minutes left to play, when Erik Thorell scored his first playoff goal ever in the SHL. Then the home crowd thought that the semi-final place was secured – but Leksand would answer again.
Just three minutes later, and with three minutes left in the game, Olle Alsing scored the 2-2 goal, and the seventh and deciding game, fittingly enough, went to extra time. Then Mikael Ruohomaa stepped forward. The Finn, who came to Frölunda from Modo during this season, spent two seasons in Leksand from 2021 to 2023. Now he pushed Frölunda to the semi-finals – and his old team on vacation.
Nice pictures
And afterwards he admitted that it was mixed feelings, as he suffered with his former team.
– There are so many good friends there. Guys who will be my friends for life. I am super happy, but at the same time I suffer with them. I love them boys, says Ruohomaa to Aftonbladet.
Right after Ruohomaa sent in the decisive goal, nice scenes unfolded down on the ice. Ruohomaa hugged every single Leksands player during the farewell.
– I told them how much I respect them. They are very good friends, he says.
The images of Leksand and Frölunda hugging each other, and thanking each other for a good playoff series, made the whole of hockey Sweden cheer. And in TV4’s commentary booth sat the expert Almen Bibic and was moved.
– Isn’t this damn beautiful thing about sports? I get a little… I think this is so nice. In a match, when it’s banging out there, then it’s rock hard. But after the match, you give each other a hug, “congratulations”. I think this is so fucking beautiful, he says.
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