For the third year in a row, Frölunda Gothenburg is in the SHL semifinals following a Game 7 overtime win over visiting Leksand
Frölunda Gothenburg has advanced to the Swedish Hockey League semifinals after defeating Leksands IF 3-2 in overtime in Game 7 of their quarterfinal series on home ice Wednesday night.
After a scoreless first period, the teams traded goals in the second period and then again in the last 6:01 of regulation time, with Erik Thorell briefly giving Frölunda the lead before Olle Alsing equalized for Leksand with 3:07 remaining.
Frölunda very nearly won it when captain Max Friberg – his first year in the role after the retirement of Joel Lundqvist – hit the crossbar in the dying seconds of the third period. But the team formerly known as the Indians eventually prevailed when Mikael Ruohomaa netted the winner 4:09 into overtime, sending the sellout crowd at the Scandinavium into a frenzy.
“To be able to play a Game 7 is something extra in terms of the mental strain that arises,” Frölunda head coach Roger Rönnberg said after the game. “I am proud of the way the team rose to the occasion today – we played one of our best games.”
This is the third straight year that Frölunda has advanced to the SHL’s final four, but that’s where the team’s journey has ended each of the past two seasons. The last time Frölunda reached the finals was in 2019, when they won their most recent title.
Frölunda has been Europe’s most decorated club team in Europe over the past decade, claiming two SHL titles and four Champions Hockey League titles – most recently in 2000. Frölunda failed to qualify for the CHL this past season after eight straight appearances. If Frölunda wins the SHL this season, they will return to the European club championship next season, joining regular-season winner Färjestad Karlstad and the second-place Växjö Lakers from Sweden.
In the semifinals, Frölunda will face Skellefteå AIK, with the series starting on Saturday in Skellefteå. The SHL’s other semi starts on Friday with Växjö hosting Rögle Ängelholm.
“The next step awaits, we’re ready for Skellefteå,” said Rönnberg. “We're not done!”