Malte Strömwall scored a hat-trick yesterday against Växjö and has been really hot for Frölunda lately. Since Ruohomaa joined the team, their chain has clicked really well – and the star has awakened.
– Continuity and finding chemistry over a period of time, of course it helps, Strömwall tells Hockeysverige.se.
Malte Strömwall has been hot lately. A hat trick yesterday when Frölunda HC beat Växjö Lakers HC 5-3, and he has now scored eight points in his last five games.
Part of that is due to the chain he forms together with Max Friberg and Mikael Ruohomaa. Strömwall himself is not surprised that the chain produces so well, and explains why the three work so well together.
– First of all, I would say that all three of us are different types of players, Max does a damn good job and wins pucks that no one else on this team can do. Then he is also great offensively and can hang it there when needed. And “Micke” has a really good game sense. You see how cool he is when he’s holding the puck and he doesn’t have to look down, but he sees the ice and what’s going on out there. So I just try to find open ice and contribute with my speed and try to be creative with the puck, says Strömwall.
The addition of Ruohomaa has been significant for the chain, which did not have a really clear center before.
– It has meant a lot, above all we have put the chain together very well. Before, there have been a few injuries to different centers, so it has been a center here and a center there and a little different almost every game. Continuity and finding chemistry over a period of time, of course it helps, says Strömwall.
“Finding it more and more”
At the beginning of the season, it was somewhat slower with the goalscoring, but it is nothing that worried the 29-year-old. For his own part, it was about finding the game that leads to success in the SHL, he says.
– In terms of points, it went quite well, it was probably the goals that were not there for a period. Then you look at what you create, there are many who come into SHL and have a bit of a slow start with the production and then it really takes off. And I feel like that break-in period might be different lengths for some. For me, I needed to find my way back to how to play in Sweden in order to be successful, and I think I’m finding it more and more. It helps a lot when you have a chain that enjoys each other.
Is there a big difference in the game compared to other leagues you’ve played in?
– Yes, so it is very disciplined in the SHL with a big focus on playing well defensively. In some other leagues that I’ve been in, maybe it’s not as structured as it is in the SHL. So there aren’t these extra two-on-ones and stuff like that, so the SHL is really good defensively and it’s tough games every night.
Malte Strömwall joined the Gothenburg team for this season, after several seasons abroad. Most recently, he came from playing in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves. So far this season, he has scored 30 points in 42 games for Frölunda.
