TV: WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MATCH ON TV4 PLAY
Rögle has surprised big during the playoff spring. First, Timrå was defeated in two straight games in the round of 16 and then the regular series winner Färjestad was defeated in four straight games.
The impressive winning streak has since been extended by three straight victories against Växjö in the semi-final series and thus the Ängelholm team had shaken off four straight match points ahead of Thursday’s fourth match in Catena Arena.
Even though Växjö was under pressure, Jörgen Jönsson’s team went out and impressed in the first period.
After just over twelve minutes of play, Brian Cooper was able to score the lead goal after a delicate play from Joachim Blichfeld and with three minutes left in the period, Manuel Ågren was able to extend the lead when he coolly rounded Christoffer Rifalk in the home goal.
Thus, Rögle was in the dock before the second period, but when Adam Tambellini fired in the reduction after a nice pass from Adam Engström after nine minutes of play, they had once again made contact.
Impressive turnaround
The goal was the last of the second period and before the final act, Roger Hansson’s team was first and foremost looking for an equaliser, something that the audience in the Catena Arena did not have to wait very long for.
After 02:10, Brian Cooper picked up the visitors’ first sending off of the match and Rögle took advantage of the numerical advantage immediately when Simon Ryfors scored the equalizer behind an overplayed Emil Larmi after only 30 seconds of play in the powerplay.
After the equaliser, it was a Rögle who had a tailwind and who washed over the Växjö defensive and after 06:51 Rögle again got the chance in the power play.
Zaar stepped forward
This time, the numerically superior game looked to be scoreless, but after playing the power play at 01:59, the puck finally landed in front of Daniel Zaar’s stick. From close range, Zaar was then able to score his sixth playoff goal this season, which also meant a redemptive lead goal for Rögle.
After Zaar’s lead goal, Växjö had problems creating any pressure in their final forcing. Instead, Rögle’s Daniel Zaar was able to grab a loose puck and easily make it 4-2 in an empty net – a goal that would turn out to be the last of the match.
The victory means that Rögle defeats Växjö 4-0 in the semi-final series, which means that the team is ready for the SM final where Skellefteå or Frölunda await. The victory also means that the team has secured its tenth straight victory in the spring playoffs.
– 4-0 are not funny numbers, but we are facing a very good team. They are a bit better than us overall. I think that all the matches are even. Today we have a 2-0 lead and the match is about where you want it to be in a semi-final, you lead 2-1 before the last, analyzed the Växjö coach Jörgen Jönsson and continued:
– We take some unnecessary sending offs, they are brutally effective, we take a completely unnecessary five. We have a push at the end, but it’s not enough today.
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