After ending the shootout against Lulea Hockey to win their Champions Hockey League Quarter-Final, Frolunda Gothenburg's Andreas Johnson discussed the win and briefly looked forward to the team's next opponent in the Semi-Finals.
by Efraim Larsson
GOTHENBURG – Over two seasons, nobody has accumulated more points in the Champions Hockey League than Andreas Johnson with 35 in 22 games. Last season, his 25 points was one behind linemate and CHL scoring champion Mathis Olimb. This year he has 10 in 10 games, which is tied for third on his team and fifth overall.
On Tuesday night, he scored one goal in regulation time and then another in the shootout – the latter ending the Quarter-Final against Lulea Hockey to advance Frolunda Gothenburg into the CHL Semi-Finals against HC Davos. After the game, he reacted to the emotion of beating the team that beat his in last season's Final.
Andreas, How does it feel?
“It feels really good right now. Our goal today was to win and advance to the next round and we managed to do so, so it feels really good right now.”
You had a one-goal disadvantage going into today's game. What were the main keys to winning that the team discussed before the game?
“The first goal was very important, but also that we had to come out playing the game plan that we're used to, with lots of speed and high pressure. There were a lot of goals and many power-play opportunities and penalty kills, so it honestly felt like the game could've ended up going either way.”
Is it difficult to keep the focus during games like this?
“Nah, I think it's pretty important that you keep your emotions in check during a game of this kind and not let the emotions take over, whether it's because you scored a goal or you let one in. You’re better just keeping your head in the game, looking forward to the next moment and keeping your focus all game long.”
You finished the game by scoring the last penalty shot, although Spencer Abbott is credited with the game-winning goal. What did you think before you took the it?
“I was pretty calm at that moment, and basically thought about which move I should do. Joel (Lassinantti) is quite short and small, so I thought that I'd skate pretty fast and brake a little earlier than I usually do to take the shot, and as I before the penalty shot thought about aiming under his trapper I just had to do it as he gave me a quite big space there when I also came forward.”
Now you'll face the Swiss team HC Davos. What are your immediate thoughts about that?
“It will be fun, of course! I don't really know that much more about them other than that Dick Axelsson plays there and he's a really sneaky player with a lot of speed and technical skills, so he'll be tough to face. And they eliminated Skelleftea today, so we might need to refine our edges a bit and sharpen the focus a little from today to beat them as well.”
What do you think about your season so far?
“I definitely feel that I have developed a lot in all strengths, but most of all on the power play, where I've gotten much more confidence and am producing more points. Obviously it helps that the other guys on my PP unit (Abbott, Ryan Lasch, Joel Lundqvist, and Henrik Tommernes or Lukas Bengtsson, mostly) are such skilled players as they are, but we're getting better all the time and it's fun because we basically think the same about taking shots from the right opportunities and stuff.
“At even strength I've definitely developed my defensive skills so that it all goes much faster and quicker. Of course I'd like to contribute a bit more offensively there, but I'm not panicking about it yet because it will come if we just keep continuing creating chances and such.”