With ten rounds left of the regular season, things are looking bleak for HV71. Not only because seven points separate them from safe ground above the relegation line, but also because there are no signs that HV can turn around their negative trend.
Disappointed, I don't think we got anything going today, really, says HV coach Anton Blomqvist to TV4 Hockey.
The loss to Malmö was undisputed. In just over seven minutes in the middle period, the visitors went from 1–0 to 4–0 – and with each goal scored, the booing in Husqvarna Garden intensified.
Either Malmö could exploit sloppy defensive play from HV when goalkeeper Hugo Alnefelt left a rebound (as at 2–0 and 3–0), or it was home players who were caught out when Jakub Galvas countered in 4–0 behind Frederik Dichow (who had replaced Alnefelt).
Anton Blomqvist, who took over as coach before this season:
You understand the disappointment and you understand the frustration (from the fans). We all down here feel the same, both players and leaders. But it's far from over.
Blomqvist has not given up hope of finding their way back to the game that, for example, gave them three straight wins as recently as mid-January.
I don't think we're as bad as we showed today, he says to TV4 Hockey.
I think it's maybe more in the head than in hands and feet.
HV71 was relegated from the SHL in the spring of 2021, but their stint in the second-tier league only lasted a year. Last year, they were forced to qualify, but managed to save themselves in the top league after a seven-match battle against Oskarshamn.
Next up is an away game against Skellefteå on Saturday.
