Växjö. Orange is the new black point on the Swedish Hockey final map.
Växjö Lakers are gold favorite who had season to get used to the idea that to be just gold favorite.
Now Smalanders ready to trap champion Skellefteå. Växjö has everything to succeed.
Växjö Lakers are , as in many cases they jealous critics Foreign Legion, sales team and upstart who lacks hockey traditions.
But every effort is made just a little more than that one also sees the characters, role players and innovators who in just four years helped to put Växjö at SHL map where the former were more forest and hockey darkness. Behind the roar of artificial klappor are nearly 6000 sometimes rapt Vaxjo fans who shout themselves hoarse although supporters elsewhere scoff at the mood of Vida Arena.
But there is a lot in it modern hockey temple that holds highest class.
Before the season was singled anyway this Växjö Lakers look like a gold favorite. I was one of those who saw the potential in this amazing lagbygget. With the latest acquisitions Josh Hennessy and Jeff Tambellini has Växjö both got to the tip of the other chain that made that the width is comparable with reigning champions Skellefteå.
It’s been a tough mental journey Vaxjo, learning to manage expectations. Both of others and their own.
Before Christmas we discussed it. Once and for all.
– We had to grow into the suit. From September to December, we played not bad, but we did not at the level we wanted.
– We talked about not thinking so much about what others talked about but just focus on what we should do. We managed reasonably well, but not quite, says Växjö Captain Tomi Kallio .
1-0 loss against Frölunda on Monday, at line 3-1 in matches and match point, was another reminder that realize the importance of concentration before each task. Växjö has learned a lot during the season and after Christmas has Sam Hallam Law for the most part kept Skelleftea class.
On Sunday begins a brand new journey. It’s about being better than the best. Skellefteå is the defending champion and has won the regular season for the third consecutive season. Skellefteå is proposed to be dialed. Växjö must still perform better. Otherwise, ending the year historical finalist with an SM-silver.
No one cares about the SM-silver.
– It’s really the difference between winning or losing the finals, says Växjö’s captain Tomi Kallio .
The 38-year old forward has won two gold with Frölunda and he is also a master with Finnish TPS. But he has also lost the finals with both Frölunda, Sweden and Finland. Kallio knows what he’s talking about.
He stands outside Växjö’s dressing room Vida arena and the blue Lakers cap is pulled down almost to her eyebrows.
– It was nice to get into the locker room after the match as the last man. There were no giant cheer and hug here and there. We were so clearly satisfied, but we want more than that.
Sam Hallam celebrates its players and ruthlessness to cover shot – 1:50 speech in the last two semi-finals against Frölunda. “Purchase Team” Växjö is ready to pay the price for the national championship.
– If I choose, I am happy in the position that people believe in the team you work with, and that is seen as a candidate to win. We get used to us at a favoritism. It is part of the process of becoming a really top team, says Hallam.
No comments:
Post a Comment