► Tonight everything will be decided, Skellefteå or Frölunda to the SC final against Rögle, Skellefteå or Frölunda on holiday?
► No Mikael Ruohomaa, nor Linus Nässén in Frölunda. Skellefteå is without defender Oskar Nilsson – and so Andreas Johnson, of course.
► Here you get my thoughts on the drop, line-ups and facts; here you can also talk to each other about what is happening on the ice. Welcome.
The playoffs so far. Soon Rögle will have a final opponent,
PRE-MATCH FACTS
Skellefteå–Frölunda.
What: SM semi-final 7.
Where/when: Skellefteå Kraft Arena, 19.30.
TV: TV12, TV4 Hockey/TV4 play.
Previous semi-finals:
16/4: Frölunda–Skellefteå 3–1
14/4. Skellefteå–Frölunda 3–4 (70.33)
12/4: Frölunda–Skellefteå 6–7 (76.09)
10/4: Frölunda–Skellefteå 2–0
8/4: Skellefteå–Frölunda 3–2 (66.57)
6/4: Skellefteå–Frölunda 5–2
Tom Nilsson made a comeback last time.
Skellefteå’s quarter-final:
Linköping 4–0
Frölunda’s quarter-final:
Play sand 4–3
Skellefteå in the regular season:
Placement: 3. Points: 97.
Frölunda in the regular season:
Placement: 4. Points: 96.
After the match here on the site.
1. Quick analysis to listen to.
2. Chronicle.
***
The preview text is free. In order not to miss anything about Frölunda, click here to subscribe for only SEK 69/month.
***
Frölunda’s team:
Chains:
12 Max Friberg–75 David Edstrom–88 Malte Strömwall
21 Jere Innala–11 Erik Borg–67 Jayden Halves
17 Isac Born–31 Nicklas Lasu–48 Carl Klingberg
86 Erik Thorell–32 Noah Hasa–18 Linus Öberg
16 Otto Stenberg
Backing:
7 Henrik Tömmernes–3 Albin Sundin
33 Linus Högberg–43 Tom Nilsson
25 Pontus Johansson–2 Christian Folin
26 Isaac Heens
Goalkeeper:
1 Lasse Johansson (50 Frans Tuohimaa)
It didn’t hold up Mikael Ruohomaanor Linus Nässén. Thus, the first start for Otto Stenberg since the loan to Bik Karlsoga. Otherwise, no strangeness in Frölunda’s team, expected line-up.
Filip Hasa has been training since he was tackled late by Olli Palola in January, but has not had enough consecutive days without concussion-like symptoms (dizziness, nausea). In Hasa’s case, however, it is the neck that took the biggest beating. Noah Dower Nilsson recently underwent another shoulder operation in Detroit, USA. The season was thus over. He should be in action when next season starts. Gustav Rydahl’s back surgery was successful, the nerve pain in his leg is gone, he has been on ice for some time; Rydahl should be able to join sometime in August when training starts after the holidays. Mats Rosseli Olsen, you know the situation, he is far from playing hockey but is said to be feeling a little better now.
***
Skellefteå has Andreas Johnson suspended (two games) after the knee tackle on Linus Nässén last time, the defender Oskar Nilsson is sick, just like the backup keeper Gustaf Lindvall.
You can see the team here next to it.
***
A bit fast:
## We who saw Mikael Ruohomaa with that boot on the foot yesterday (Wednesday) are not surprised. Frölunda goes with what you have, David Edstrom has impressed Erik Borg gets the chance to take on a bigger role again,
## Keys? Well, purely in terms of play, Frölunda wants to get their pressure, act tight, play hard, win battles, take away time and space from playable Skellefteå. Important: charge, get few expulsions. Skellefteå, on the other hand, wants to play off Frölunda’s pressure, get loose, come with speed, use their playing skills, spin, create chances, score goals.
Does Skellefteå have some pressure on them after two losses, pressure not to fall through, lose at home? Sure.
Is it difficult for Frölunda to defeat a very good opponent three times in a row? Absolutely.
As usual, you can turn and twist everything, but a match 7 pretty much lives its own life. If Skellefteå takes the lead, home ground can be a kick, instead Frölunda scores the first goal, gains momentum, then the situation is different.
It’s about being the best for the evening, it’s about handling a mentally difficult “SM final or holiday” situation in the best way. Soon we will know who/who succeeded best in this.
## Two players to keep an extra eye on:
Jere Innala (10+4) tops the playoff scorers, the Frölunda Finn plays with great confidence.
Jonathan Pudas made a comeback last time, was involved in Skellefteå’s three goals from behind and will definitely be warmer in his clothes now.
Rönnberg & Ohlsson.
## You may remember that Robert Ohlsson (Skellefteå) and Roger Rönnberg (Frölunda) met in three playoff series since the SM gold together in 2016. Twice in the SHL, once in the CHL. Rönnberg has not yet lost against Ohlsson.
## This will be Frölunda’s third Game 7 in the last four playoff series.
2023:
Ferry town 4–3
Växjö 2–4
* Extra time in match 6.
2024:
Play sand 4–3
Skellefteå 3–4/4–3
Skellefteå has won six out of seven game 7s since returning to the SHL, they have never lost a “seven” at home. Facts from norran.se:
2009: Victory against Linköping (away).
2010: Victory against Färjestad (at home).
2011: Victory against Linköping (at home).
2012: Victory against AIK (at home).
2016: Victory against Växjö (at home).
2017: Loss against Frölunda (away).
2021: Victory against Luleå (at home).
## This is how the SM final is played, which doesn’t seem like many days to recharge, not even 48 hours to final 1 with drop-off at 15.15 on Saturday:
20/4: Skellefteå/Frölunda–Rögle
22/4: Skellefteå/Frölunda–Rögle
25/4: Rögle–Skellefteå/Frölunda
27/4: Rögle–Skellefteå/Frölunda
If necessary:
29/4: Skellefteå/Frölunda–Rögle
2/5: Rögle–Skellefteå/Frölunda
4/5: Skellefteå/Frölunda–Rögle
