Norland does not seem to be HV71's favorite part of the country. On Tuesday, the team began its away tour in the northern parts of the country with a loss to Timrå with 3–2, and two days later, it was another loss in Skellefteå with 4–3.
But the biggest disappointment came on Monday evening, when the bottom team lost to Luleå with a whole 6–2.
"Naive throughout"
And it didn't get any more dramatic. Already after 13 minutes, the home team had managed to take the lead with 3–0. And in the period break, the criticism from Jönköping's own coach Anton Blomqvist was not gentle, although he himself took full responsibility for the performance.
It's under all criticism, throughout. We come out incredibly weak. It's naive throughout, and it only lies on me. My job to prepare my team today was not enough, he says to TV4 Play.
And even though there was a game-like upswing for HV71, the deficit was too large. The numbers eventually ran away to a whole 6–2 for Luleå, which, with the win, climbs up as the new table leader.
"Incredibly tough"
It's incredibly tough. I think we fall through tonight. I don't think we're ready to play from the start. Throughout, actually, a non-approved performance, says Blomqvist after the loss and continues:
I need to take the responsibility to put this group in the right direction, because right now, it doesn't look good.
HV71 remains below the line with the same number of points, 15, as table bottom Modo. It's a whole 10 points up to Linköping on safe ground.
