Frolunda put on a champion show in big win over Devils
FROLUNDA Indians showed why they are the defending CHL champions with a clinical performance on home ice on Tuesday, beating Cardiff Devils 9-2 in Gothenburg.
Frolunda took just 35 seconds to open the scoring after a defensivezone turnover led to an unassisted goal by Patrik Carlsson.
Despite Devils being heavily outshot, and killing two penalties, the period ended with Frolunda up 1-0, with netminder Ben Bowns outstanding.
Joel Lundqvist scored his first of the game on the powerplay at 23:30, but Devils pulled one back when Joey Martin picked up a rebound and tucked it in to make it 2-1 at 24:23.
Goals from Karl Storey (27:07) and Samuel Fagemo (34:59) put Frolunda in front 4-1 after 40 minutes of play.
The final 20 minutes was owned by Frolunda as they scored five goals, two even strength, two on the powerplay and one penalty shot.
The one bright spot for the Devils was a powerplay goal from Joey Haddad at 44:21, but that was all the more than 200 fans travelling over from Wales had to cheer for in the final 20 minutes.
Frolunda’s Lundqvist completed his hat-trick with a trio of powerplay goals on the night to lead the chargem while netminder Johan Mattsson made 14 saves in the win.
The two teams face each other next Tuesday in Cardiff for the final CHL qualifying round game, with the Devils needing a win to advance to the next round.
Before that, Devils have to play two Elite League matches, starting with Dundee Stars at the Viola Arena tonight (7.30pm).
They then travel to Coventry Blaze on Sunday (5.30pm).