It has been clear for a long time that Roger Rönnberg is leaving Frölunda after the season, for an adventure abroad in the Swiss top club Fribourg-Gottéron.
But now the time in Gothenburg is almost over for real.
Luleå's 2-0 win on Tuesday evening means 4-2 in matches in the semifinal and that Frölunda's season is over.
Thus, Roger Rönnberg has also coached his last match in the Gothenburg club.
It's a moment that can't be prepared for, he states.
I've pushed away all emotions for this moment all season and probably have a hard time taking in where we are today.
It's come a thousand times, but I've pushed it away a thousand times. You can't prepare yourself for losing. I was completely convinced that we would get a seventh match.
"All for Roger"
But that the emotions were still there, in the entire Scandinavium, was clear.
"One for all, all for Roger".
The Frölunda fans' tribute chant filled the arena already during the first period. After the match, the fans stayed for a long time, despite the loss, and chanted "We love Roger".
He himself tried to keep his emotions in check. But a small tear made its way to the corner of his eye, he admits afterwards.
Yes, if you don't have that, you're probably even more of a psychopath than I thought I was, he jokes.
During twelve years as Frölunda coach, he led the team to two league championships, four CHL titles, and over 400 SHL wins – making him the most winning SHL coach so far.
"Brutally sad"
But a final, where Brynäs had waited, didn't happen.
First and foremost, we've been eliminated. I feel for my players. I'm damn sorry for their sake, above all. It feels brutally, brutally sad, because there are such small margins even in this series, says Rönnberg.
That a coach wants and gets to stay in an elite club for so long is unusual.
But Roger Rönnberg brushes off all talk of it being his merit and instead praises the club's work during the twelve years.
It's the club's merit that I've been here for twelve years. We've had tough years, it's been a long time since we won anything. But they've put up with me.
