Daniel Zaar equalized late on and then Henry Bowlby sent Rögle to the semi-finals with his decision in extra time. 4-0 in matches and Ängelholm is celebrating tonight.
Here are Gustav Lundblad’s five impressions from the match.
Rögle–Färjestad 2–1
(0–0, 0–1, 1–0, 1–0)
Second period:
0–1, 7:28, Henrik Björklund (Joel Nyström, Carl Dahlström)
Third period:
1–1, 17:46, Daniel Zaar (Michael Kapla, Simon Ryfors) (6 against 5)
Fourth period:
2–1, 4:52, Henry Bowlby (Ludvig Claesson, Lukas Ekeståhl-Jonsson)
Shot: 29–27 (4–13, 8–4, 16–8, 1–2)
Expulsions: Rögle: 4 x 2 min. Ferry town: 2 x 2 min.
Public: 6310
Here was the match:
Färjestad was beaten to win and was hotter for long periods in the fourth game. They dominated the first period at times, but still did not manage to get a hole in Rögle.
They got them instead in the second period when Henrik Björklund headed in a shot from Joel Nyström.
In the third, Rögle’s offensive machinery started in earnest and after picking out the goalkeeper with barely three minutes left, the equalizer came. In-form Daniel Zaar shot and via an unfortunate control by Färjestad’s Nyström, it went into the goal with 2:14 left to play.
In extra time, Färjestad’s Marcus Nilsson had a great opportunity from close range, but Christoffer Rifalk saved. Less than a minute later, Ludvig Claesson freed Henry Bowlby, which decided the match and the match series.
Rögle to the semi-finals. Färjestad eliminated.
1. 4–0 i matcher
The big bang is a fact. Grundserienian Rögle has knocked out series winners Färjestad in “straight” matches – just like eighth-ranked HV71 did against first-ranked Djurgården in the classic quarter-final series in 1995.
How did it happen? If you want to boil down the series, you can summarize it like this:
Rögle played four games.
Färjestad only appeared in two.
They were outclassed and locked out by Rögle in the first two games in Karlstad. “Washed” matches, coach Tomas Mitell analyzed on TV4 afterwards.
Once they woke up for match 3 and 4 in Ängelholm, it was 50-50 matches, even events where Rögle had that little extra fluidity.
That’s how fast it can go. In hockey.
2. A fantastic Rögle
Ferjestad’s no-show in the beginning of the match series should not take anything away from Rögle’s fantastic performance.
This never looked like a match between a nine and a one – Rögle is simply at the highest SHL level right now.
They are thus a serious and realistic contender for the SM gold, not a fly that has flown above its natural height in a single match.
Across the board, player after player delivers who, to varying degrees, had really weak periods during the regular season. Consider that from December to mid-February, only powerhouse Oskarshamn in the entire SHL scored fewer points than Rögle.
It can turn quickly, so to speak – as quickly as Henry Bowlby can run away on a counterattack.
3. The hero Bowlby
There was a time around Christmas and New Year when Henry Bowlby was Rögle’s hottest player.
Remember how he decided the derby against MIF in the mud the day before New Year’s Eve.
Then his fourth chain was the team’s leading point producers.
It feels like a completely different time, a completely different season, since all the extinguished stars have been lit again.
But now the quick-witted and cheeky American is back in the spotlight.
A perfect pass from Ludvig Claesson, Bowlby floated through like a fast soccer striker tricking the offside line, just as cleverly feinted goalkeeper Lindbom – and sent Rögle to the semi-finals.
Bowlby’s first goal since January 6th!
A goal he never forgets.
4. Zaar
He’s hot now, Daniel Zaar.
Six goals in the last seven games – as many as he scored in his first 41 games of the season.
That says most of it.
And his goal is an effect of a powerplay game that was frighteningly good against Timrå and Färjestad.
Almost EVERY time Rögle played numerically superior, they felt dangerous, got the opponents in the bridge. And they’ve scored seven goals on 18 PP opportunities in this playoff.
They took that game to six against five with Rifalk in the booth during the final minutes – and then they snatched the victory in tonight’s match from poor Färjestad.
5. Växjö–Rögle
Now it will be 13 days before there is hockey in Ängelholm again. On April 9, match 3 in the semi-final series will be played in Catena Arena – where Jörgen Jönsson’s Växjö will be the opposition.
The reigning champions will be a different kind of challenge for Rögle – my simple hockey knowledge tells me roughly that they do not have the same individual and collective heights as Färjestad, but that they are, on the other hand, more difficult to play, more cynical.
Maybe a little more like Rögle, simply.
It will be closed in the middle zone.
On Friday, April 5, the semi-final party starts.
Then Rögle’s hunt for the SM gold begins in earnest.
Photo: Bildbyrån
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