When reigning champions Luleå won the first SM quarterfinal in the best-of-seven series on Monday, the team from Norrbotten decided it just over seven minutes into extra time (3–2) at Scandinavium.
A similar scenario never developed in the second match in Gothenburg.
“They are losing the game”
Luleå was crushed 7–0 in the return game on Wednesday night and also had two match penalties in the final period. First, Markus Nurmi had to leave the ice after a big fight just over eight minutes into the period.
After 12:22, Brendan Shinnimin – just after Frölunda had scored 6–0 – also received a match penalty after a cross-check to the neck of two-goal scorer Filip Cederqvist immediately after the draw.
The referees are completely losing it. They are losing the match. Unfortunately, they are too arrogant and that is why they are losing the match. It is on them, says Luleå veteran Linus Omark to Aftonbladet.
Luleå's assistant coach Henrik Stridh:
"Of course we can discuss behaviour and we can discuss referees and things like that. I think we've been here twice after Christmas and won, and then it's been hell for the referees at Frölunda. There should be penalties and you have to film to get send-offs," Stridh tells TV4.
It took almost twelve minutes before the home team got a shot on Luleå goaltender Matteus Ward, but the second shot resulted in the opening goal.
Frölunda veteran Max Friberg only needed to put his stick on the puck when his teammate Filip Cederqvist made a nice pass. Shortly afterwards, Cederqvist made it 2–0 on the power play.
“Effective”
Frölunda's first line continued to dominate in the second period. At 6:13 Friberg made it 3–0 - assisted by his linemates. After that goal Luleå changed goalies, but at 13:08 Joel Lassinantti also had to concede when Cederqvist extended the lead to 4–0 - assisted by Peterson and Friberg.
"We are getting better match by match. Today we were effective," Jacob Peterson, who had three assists, told TV4.
In the end it was 7–0 to Frölunda.
The charm of the playoffs is that it really doesn't matter. Win or loss is what matters. Now we get to go home to Norrbotten, it'll be nice, says Henrik Stridh.
The next Swedish Championship quarter-final will be played in Luleå on Friday.
