VIK fell 3-2 after extra time away to Almtuna on Friday evening. Partially good considering that six or seven men were again missing, but still a little too easy for opponents to create chances in the end resulted in two lost points. Now the important Shane Gersich was also missing after a shoulder injury, when will it turn around?
Good first for being in Uppsala. A little passive start and some returns from Ian Blomquist who made only his second start since October 25th (!).
Still many injuries and juniors, Jan Dorthe lively initially. Mingoia made two good chances for Lindelöf. Flood good and Komarek free but couldn’t get the shot off.
Dmytriw was behind two half-chances for Oden and Jansson.
Careless Lindelöf and dangerous AIS. 1-0 AIS double chance after unfortunate return Ian and Loponen failed to clear and possibly the puck peek young Lejon.
Hofbauer drove to his own free position. Bohm broke elegantly on 1-on-2. Dmytriw good pass and half chance Loponen.
Andersson nice drop to Flood who couldn’t get the shot through. VIK had many good shot attempts and intentions, but only produced four hot finishes on goal; AIS five such.
A bit difficult with the flow at the end when you have won five in a row, then you have to be extra good to get something with you according to the theory of probability…
Worse 2nd in Uppsala, but Ian played really well as AIS created a lot. However, Ian returned initially but managed to parry. Odin created a chance for himself.
Harlestam dangerous on the counter. Ian nailed it again on new chances. Komarek went away on his own blue and dangerously. Krupic played himself up and nice pass that Dmytriw axed himself free on, expulsion Almtuna.
Bad PP though but so many forwards gone is noticeable there. Gabriel Kangas made his best game in a long time and nice pass to Hofbauer.
1-1 good break Komarek, cold pass Topping and even colder finish on the roof Mingo.
Always strong Skedung fixed new PP. First, Hofbauer was careless, but then Mingoia and Gabriel Kangas, who gave Dmytriw a good position in PP and 1-2, meritorious preparatory work.
Oden relieved a tired and comebacking Hellberg, who barely had control speed after a long illness.
Lindelöf dribbled on own blue and new chance Almtuna. Sharp save by Ian on steering and full 9-4 chances AIS in 5-5 – so VIK needed up to 3e, but still higher minimum level and basic pace.
Directly 2-2 in the third since Ian lost control of where he was and the pulley was too easily scored from the edge, however tricky position.
Hofbauer went to new half-free position, #23 can really go.
Mingoia and Komarek had a delicious exchange game and close to a double chance for the former. Suspected phantom expulsion after carelessness but then well repaired by Dmytriw.
Hofbauer did a brilliant job at BP. Then Komarek put on a continued clinic regarding chance-creating passes. First to Dmytriw, then another magnificent 67 pass that Mingoia put in the post.
VIK was good in the third period and Komarek burned another chance. Flood appeared for Lindelöf who wasted many chances this evening. Lindelöf was sloppy, but Flood saved with superb home work.
In total, VIK won chances by 7-4 in 5-5 in the last period, so it was clearly the best third.
In overtime, Helmersson for some strange reason avoided putting out his best third and Hofbauer, Skedung and Jansson lost their way, suspected interference on passive otherwise excellent Jansson and Ian perhaps sold themselves cheaply in the free position until 3-2 AIS.
SUMMARY
Overall, AIS actually won the chances 18-15 in the 5-5, so it wasn’t unfair that red got a bit of retroactive payoff at the end despite VIK finishing well last 20.
Thus, VIK has continued a journey to claim to cut the number of chances at the back, although things are better than before and points in six straight games now, including five wins.
A rusty Ian Blomquist, who has only played 2-3 games since the middle of October, mixed and gave, but quite right to try to get Ian started at the same time that Niilo is now fresh for Saturday’s battle at home against Björklöven.
The most pleasing thing is that Jansson is on the way up and the captain was, despite -3, very good tonight with a full 14-2 in NP with lots of breaks and won duels and pucks. Sometimes the plus/minus doesn’t say much about the total.
Flood also good back but otherwise again a bit faded on the back. Lindelöf had a difficult evening with 5-6 in NP with far too many adventures.
It was positive, however, that Krupic, after a difficult start, played really well and needs to step up now as one of the team’s most talented backs by far.
VIK simply has to start Krupic as few other defenders can match Halmstadssonen’s maximum capacity. Plus Elias Pettersson will come back stronger than ever after JVM.
Up front, the chain with Topping (6-1 in NP) between Komarek (8-2) and Mingoia (8-2) was driving and was close to deciding in the third period. Here, VIK may have found that first chain that can push the team far.
Dmytriw again made a brilliant effort with 9-1 in NP as second center between today’s uneven Lion (who was benched) and a completely okay Oden (5-0 in NP). Dmytriw won 8 out of 13 draws and if he plays like this it’s a player for a chain higher up.
Gabriel Kangas had his best game in a long time with 9-0 in NP and a dazzling assist to Dmytriw in PP.
Skedung again through solid there as third center. Hofbauer a bit uneven with the decisions with the puck but many strong runs and puck wins in the duel game.
The junior chain did well again, especially Jan Dorthe showed that he too learned A-team hockey with some puck wins, but only got six minutes. Gustaf Kangas again solid during his nine minutes, also a perfectly okay scorer in HA.
Success loan Hannes Hellberg made his first game in about three weeks after a long illness and #7 looked tired in his comeback during his seven minutes. But we have to hope Hellberg is fitter already against Björklöven on Saturday evening, it will be necessary.
It is a bit difficult to analyze as VIK is now constantly missing almost half of the forward side, but there are a lot of good indications on an individual level there anyway. The stars deliver, the juniors fight on and the wide players widen.
The next step is to continue to improve the team play defensively, because somehow you have to cut down on the number of scoring chances at the back that ultimately resulted in a loss tonight.
Against Björklöven, it must be much stricter defensively, otherwise their big shooters will party. And soon the forward side must be healthier and the wind of injury must turn?
Kudos to VIK Support who was heard well on TV.
PUCKLIGAN
5 Jimmie Jansson
4 Jared Dmytriw
3 Gabriel Kangas
2 Trevor Mingoia
1 Isak Skedung
2024-01-05 22:04:45
#parts #losing #Almtuna #payoff #VIK #conceded #chances #defense #sharpened #quickly #Björklöven #VIK #FAN #CENTRAL #VIK #FAN #CENTRAL
