Anxiety is not an exaggerated concept. Not least financially, relegation is extremely costly.
In the SHL, teams receive around 50 million kronor per season from television and advertising rights. The corresponding amount in the Hockeyallsvenskan is around five million kronor.
Former Leksands player Justin Kloos gave HV71 the lead with just 15 seconds left in the first period. In the second, Martin Johnsen made it 2–0 on the power play.
SHL giant Leksand looked flat and managed only seven shots on goal in the first two periods.
But a dream start in the third period set the tone for the game. Leksand started with a power play, and after just 37 seconds Michael Lindqvist scored to make it 2–1.
Then Leksand took over - winning the third period 16–6 - and created equalizing opportunities.
But without success.
"I think we do a lot of things well out there, we control the game well; there are things we can do better. In the third period we got a little behind, it's better to be in their zone," says Alsing.
HV71 is playing in the qualifiers for the third season in a row and has had a tough season as a club across the board. The women's team also had to play in qualifiers to stay in the SDHL, and the U20 team is currently competing to remain in the top division.
The second match in the best-of-seven series will also be played in Jönköping on Friday.
