Updated 06.44 | Published 06.29
BELMONT PARK. Simon Holmström became this year’s Lucia on Long Island last night.
The 22-year-old small-towner decided the New York Islanders’ duel against Anaheim – as so often outnumbered.
– An incredible feeling, he tells Sportbladet after the 4-3 victory.
It looked like the New York Islanders were really down in the closing minutes of their Lucia duel against the Anaheim Ducks at UBS Arena.
Robert Bortuzzo had just been sent off for tripping and Leo Carlsson & co had a golden opportunity to decide.
Instead, it was the opposite.
Just as the visitors went on their own pending expulsion for holding, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Simon Holmström stormed off in a counterattack and when the latter received the puck inside the blue line, he sent it with a sharp wrister into the roof of the net behind John Gibson.
– I noticed that there was an expulsion going on and thought that it was just a matter of taking the chance, says the sniper from Tranås when we meet him afterwards.
– There wasn’t much to shoot at, but I saw a small gap high up and aimed there, and of course it was an incredible feeling when it went in.
full screen Simon Holmström Photo: Peter K. Afriyie / AP
Goals in numerical disadvantages have generally become “Homer’s” specialty. The goal last night was the fourth of the season with the opposition on the power play.
– Yes, there have been a number of such goals. That might not have been expected at the beginning of the season, he smiles.
– I generally feel more and more comfortable. That’s what happens when you get to play a lot and feel confident. It’s nice.
With the win against the Ducks, the Islanders – who found themselves in quite a headwind last fall – look to solidify their position as second in the Metropolitan Division. It is de facto just four points up on arch-rivals Rangers in first place now.
The Ducks, meanwhile, have lost twelve of their last thirteen games and are stuck at the bottom of the table.
Leo Carlsson responded for an assist, in a power play, on Long Island.
full screen Islanders celebrate after Simon Holmström’s goal. Photo: Peter K. Afriyie/AP
2023-12-14 05:29:42
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