There were some things that Linus Omark said where he stood sweaty, bearded and slightly grumpy after two (almost) goalless periods at home against Färjestad with a pair of C More headphones glued to his head.
He said what we could all see about Luleå’s game.
– We take care of the puck.
Färjestad could barely touch it. If you do not happen to be a goalkeeper and his name is Henrik Haukeland. He stopped the puck 25 times in two periods and among other things from a free-milling Linus Omark.
Haukeland was the best in Färjestad. Even though the competition was not so fierce this evening, he still gave his team the chance to pinch a point. Which had been a so-called robbery.
But more about Färjestad a little later.
For Linus Omark said in that break interview in C More also another thing that it is still possible to smile at:
– We play masterfully.
And he must say that. And think. It was only 1-0 and in that situation I think it was mostly an expression of slight frustration.
## But with the tone of voice that Linus Omark has when he is annoyed, it is known that his fucking embrace can take him through a Norrbotten coniferous forest barefoot in 60 minutes if required.
Omark’s game genius can open just about every SHL defense when he has that fire inside him.
## Then he is the master.
All his performances in match after match carry a champion’s badge. Against disgusting non-offensive Färjestad, it was instead his goal scorer who secured three points for Luleå, even though captain Erik Gustafsson could certainly claim the 2-0 goal.
Omarks 1-0 was probably a school example of how toxic he is against a too low defense and with a Brendan Shinnimin comfortable as a pea in the nose of the opposing goalkeeper.
Luleå did as Linus Omarks said and cared for the puck. It was he himself who happened to play carelessly at 0-0 when he fell over and offered Färjestad’s Martin Johansson a free kick. So close was Färjestad to make 1-0 and maybe made the match tip over exactly where Pennerborn & Co had planned.
After 24 shots get @LuleaHockey dividend! #twittpuck#shl ???? pic.twitter.com/crXZHcV1KJ
— C More Hockey (@cmorehockey) October 28, 2021
But it had been a theft on the verge of embarrassment and maybe that was why Johansson missed.
Or rather, Jesper Wallstedt saved.
Luleå has an eminent young goalkeeper in Wallstedt and that gives Joel Lassinantti valuable time to get rid of his knee problem.
Who knows. In about six months, Luleå-Färjestad can meet in the Swedish Championship play-offs and then get both teams as they want, it will probably be a goalkeeper duel between Lassinantti and Dominik Furch.
Then Luleå has the new acquisition Sami Lepistö in great shape, Jack Connolly as a leading center and Juhani Tyrväinen in an internal agreement with Shinnimin and Vilmos Gallo about who happens to be the biggest playoff pig.
Färjestad has both the scoring and goal machines Marcus “Lilliz” Nilsson and Michael Lindqvist in gold form.
There were some important teeth that were missing tonight and that was certainly a reason for Färjestad’s more defensive attempts at point theft in Luleå.
That tactic may work better with even more edge on the forward side, but with the same discipline and backcheck in the defensive game.
Linus Johansson continues to be superb no matter what chain mates he brings with him. Gustav Rydahl is beefy and difficult to stop. Close to being the Rydahl who is on top.
I also think that Luleå’s Carl Mattsson has taken a big step forward this season and will be exciting to follow.
The three points stayed in Luleå and not many in Färjestad can protest about that.
## Luleå was better, stronger and Linus Omark was the difference.
## There, Luleå has the building blocks for its dream spring.
