Aki-Petteri Pulkkinen
Stockholm’s NHL weekend has been saved, writes Aki-Petteri Pulkkinen from Stockholm.
(updated )
The NHL games of the weekend in Stockholm were to get off to the roughest possible start.
The opening set of the match was goalless, and Even Yevgeni Malkin the opening goal in the second period came out of luck.
During the first two periods, both teams were blessed with a few good scoring chances, but the finishing was lame – and the goalkeepers played well.
The North American journalists were also sorry for the Swedish hockey fans.
However, this did not bother the audience. The Swedes took all the joy out of the rare delicacy and lived with it to the fullest. The atmosphere was excellent throughout the match.
When a fan of Tre Kronor, Predators or Leksand or a person dressed in ordinary clothes was filmed on the media cube, this person danced, sang and jumped – did everything that was “told”.
The match event itself was very successful. The mascots that were cast on the spot were utilized and the audience was kept warm and always on their toes.
In Sweden, they also showed a keen eye for the game and the ability to react.
Stockholm’s fatal bus accident had happened just hours before the start of the match, but this was noted in a quiet moment at the event, and the NHL’s leading man Gary Bettman too condolences to the families of those killed in the accident.
Some things are much bigger than sports and deserve their own attention. This is where the NHL hit the mark.
In the end, the main product of the event itself, i.e. hockey, offered its best.
“My son” Filip Forsberg tied the match in the final moments of the third period and extended the decision to overtime.
In extra time, the match was decided by Nashville, who had wasted the goal posts. Steven Stamkos showed what he is paid for and what he has been paid big money for throughout his career.
A fiery shot into the back corner settled the game and brought relief to a difficult start to the Predators’ season — and a weekend that looked like it was off to a bad start.
Filip Forsberg saved Stockholm’s NHL weekend. EPA/AOP