Mats Rosseli-Olsen was one of Frolunda Gothenburg's offensive leaders in the first game of the CHL Semi-Finals against Fribourg-Gotteron, scoring 2 goals and 1 assist in the 5-1 victory.

by Efraim Larsson

GOTHENBURG – Ever since losing the first game of the Round of 32 in Minsk, Frolunda Gothenburg have been on a mission. They have now won six consecutive Champions Hockey League games, out-scoring their opponents 29-5.

One of the players producing offensively is Mats Rosseli-Olsen. After 2 goals and 1 assist in Tuesday night's 5-1 win over Fribourg-Gotteron, the 25-year-old Norwegian left winger now has 5 goals and 4 assists in 11 CHL games – exactly the same totals he has put up in 32 Swedish Hockey League games this season.

Despite his age, Rosseli-Olsen is now a veteran of international hockey, playing in his third CHL campaign following three previous European Trophy tournaments, both with Frolunda and Valerenga Oslo, his hometown club. He has also represented Norway in four World Championships and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Mats, how would you summarize today’s game?

“I’m satisfied with the result, although I think we played quite bad in the first period, which could’ve resulted in another outcome of the game. But we became better in the second and third periods to maximize the win.”

What are you not satisfied with regarding the first period?

“We faced a very skilled team and maybe we were a bit surprised about their strong fore-checking to begin with, and we didn’t really play our game and worked that hard which gave them a lot of momentum to work with. They fore-checked high and hard with a lot of players, which we obviously had troubles with during the first period, but we managed to get a grip of it and started to play our game in the second and third periods, and eventually the game opened up.”

And eventually things got going for you as well.

“Yes, today was obviously my day to score and you can’t complain about a day like that.”

How would you describe the goals?

“I received a beautiful pass by Sebastian Stalberg who set me up all alone with their goalie, and then – for the second goal – he won the puck back, kicked it to Nicklas Lasu, who set me up all alone again and it was only for me to put the biscuit in the net.”

Stalberg? Wasn’t it Lasu who kicked the puck to you?

“Haha, if Lasu kicked the puck, it would’ve never gotten through.”

There was a good crowd tonight (4,042). What do you think about that?

“Of course it is way more fun to play with a bigger crowd, even though we wanted more people to show up earlier in the tournament. But thanks to all of you who showed up today. It means a lot and makes a big impact on us regarding atmosphere in the arena and such.”

You have a good opportunity to clinch a spot to the CHL Final now.

“Yes, obviously we’re satisfied right now, but we can’t forget that it is a six-period game and that the fourth period begins on Tuesday. So we’re not going out there to defend anything. We’ll play our offensive-paced game style to extend that lead. If we do so, I think we have a great shot to advance further.”